Licences to be granted to local residents
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 24: The Administration of Union Territory of Ladakh has issued New Excise Policy for the year 2022-23 for Ladakh UT. The new Excise Policy will come into force with effect from April Ist, 2022.
Official sources said that the Excise Policy-2022-23 for the UT of Ladakh may remain in force till March 31, 2023, however, the Administration may revise the same at any point of time during the course of the financial year.
While under-lining the objective of the Policy, the official sources said the purpose is to ease the licensing procedure for the new applicants in the under served/un-served areas, to check bootlegging/ smuggling of liquor in the UT of Ladakh from neighbouring UTs/ states, to provide choice of brands and the places for consumption to its consumers and a level playing field to all the stakeholders and to reduce the consumption of high alcohol level beverages in the UT of Ladakh.
As per the Policy, the Licenses shall be issued as per the provisions of J&K Excise Act, 1958 read with SO.3775 (E) dated 23-10-2020 and Union Territory of Ladakh Liquor License and Sale Rules, 1984, framed thereunder and considering the criteria of 100 meters distance from religious places, educational institutions, hospitals and public parks and the guidelines issued by the Govt of India in this regard.
While referring to the categorization of the Licenses as being done earlier (From Type A to F), Policy said Type A License shall be granted only to the residents of UT of Ladakh. All the applications for Type A and B except LAEL-7C Licenses, shall be submitted along with a non-refundable processing fee of Rs 50,000. However, Type D&F Licenses shall be issued as per the provisions of Excise Act and Union Territory of Ladakh Liquor License and Sale Rules, 1984.
Type-C Licenses (LAEL-2 and LAEL-2A), retail vends and Premium retail vends shall be allotted only to the residents of UT of Ladakh in the form of individual unit for the Financial year 2022-23 at different locations in Ladakh. Tehsil and Municipality area shall be the basis for the distribution. DCs concern shall identify the locations in respective Tehsils/ MC areas on the recommendations of Committee of Sub Divisional Magistrate, Executive Officer Municipal Committee / Tehsildar of respective Tehsil and reputed local representative. DC shall notify and publish the list of these areas and submit a copy to Excise Commissioner.
After notifying the areas by the Deputy Commissioners of Leh and Kargil, Excise Department shall grant licenses for the off premises retail sale of liquor in these areas, through e-action in accordance with J&K Excise Act and UT of Ladakh Liquor License and Sale Rules 1984. Procedure for allotment of retail sale vends shall be notified separately by the Excise Department shortly. However, the existing shops shall continue to run their business till the process of fresh tenders is completed.
Follow our WhatsApp channel