*Seeks immediate roll back
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 10: Reacting strongly to the new Excise Policy, the JCCI president Arun Gupta today asserted that the new policy prima-facie appears to be aimed at eliminating the local business persons from the trade and benefiting only the rich capitalists, that too, from outside the Union Territory of J&K.
Addressing press conference here today, JCCI president said that it is quite unfortunate that before finalizing the Excise Policy 2021-22, the apprehensions of the wine traders have not been cleared despite repeated protests by them in Jammu.
Gupta regretted that despite taking up the matter with the Lt Governor regarding New Excise Policy which is directly affecting the livelihood of existing wine traders of J&K, unfortunately nothing has been done in this regard.
Jammu Chamber also took up this issue with the MoS in PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh at New Delhi but no action is visible on the ground till date,” he regretted.
While elaborating further the Chamber president said that through e-auction individual will be granted license at only one location thus paving the way for the persons having muscle and money power to bid in name of proxies. This vindicates the apprehension of the wine traders that e-auction will bring big players while eliminating the small ones.
Gupta said the basic structure of grant and renewal of JKEL-2 license having been changed in new policy for JKEL-2 trade through e-auction mode is not only in violation of Excise Act and rules but also in total disregard to the judgment of J&K High Court.
JCCI chief raised serious concern over the hardships which the business community is confronting especially with regard to ban on extraction of minor minerals from river beds and subsequently the sale of the same. He said that such kind of blanket ban on the construction material is not in the interest of any one in the UT.
The Jammu Chamber also expressed resentment against the district administration for harassing the small traders by carrying out unnecessary encroachment drives without issuing any prior notices. He warned the administration to desist from such activities.
JCCI demanded either immediate roll back on the new policy or else the same be amended by the Government to address the genuine concerns of the local wine traders.
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