Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 21: Alleging that the Excise Policy 2021-22 has not only rendered the old licensees jobless but also triggered a law and order problem in the Union Territory, Jammu Wine Traders Association has appealed the UT Government to revisit the policy.
“The claimed aim of New Excise Policy was to generate more revenue, which has however fallen in comparison to the previous years while the Law and order has been disturbed as there are continuous protests from locals due to opening of wine shops in residential areas, near hospitals, religious places and Educational Institutes,” said Charanjeet Singh, President of the Association, while addressing a press conference, here today.
He further alleged that the department was using Police force to open these wine shops against the will of locals and filing FIRs against those protesting against opening of liquor outlets in their localities whereas as per the Excise Policy, the licensee was supposed to find an alternate premises to run his /her business in case of protests by the locals.
“The policy was aimed to remove cartelization and mafia system but this policy has strengthened the liquor mafia as they have attained multiple shops through proxy,” said Charanjeet Singh while naming one such distillery, which has managed to secure 130 shops through proxy.
The Association spokesman, Digvijay Singh highlighted the grievances of old licensees, who were single shop owners and have now lost their livelihood. “Their (old licensees) financial condition is worsening day by day because Government did not formulate any rehabilitation policy for them before announcing the Excise Policy 2021- 2022,” he said.
The Association stressed that considering the unrest in the society , loss of revenue to the Government and loss of livelihood of the old licensees, the previous policy must be restored and the old licensees be allowed to run their shops for at least two years.
Sanjay Verma, Manmohan Singh and Vijayant Pathania also addressed the press conference.
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