Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 13: Up in arms against the New Excise Policy, which envisages e-auction of liquor vends across the Union Territory, members of Jammu Wine Traders Association (JWTA) today held a peaceful protesting against the Government move.
They were joined by office bearers of Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industries, who extended their full support to the wine traders in protecting their rights and business. They also took out a protest march from Exhibition Ground to Tawi Bridge.
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Shouting slogans against the Government, the protesting wine traders demanded continuation of the previous policy or renew their license for at least two years so that they may establish some new business to feed their families.
“We reject this policy, which is meant for rich persons and mafia. None of us can afford to compete in the e-auction as we are small traders who earn their livelihood from this business for decades,” said JWTA president Charanjeet Singh, who along with general secretary Digvijay Singh and CCI general secretary Gourav Gupta was leading the protest.
The wine traders alleged that despite no adverse report against them, the Government was rendering them jobless for the reasons best know to the concerned authorities at the top level.
“Even as the High Court has not prohibited renewal of our licenses but this Government is adamant to invite liquor mafia to replace the present licensees, who are small traders and earn their livelihood from this business,” said Digvijay Singh.
CCI general secretary Gourav Gupta along with Anik Gupta and Rajeev Gupta, said that the Chamber would extend all possible support to the wine traders, who were protesting for their rights and protecting their business.
The Wine Traders Association feared that the New Excise Policy would also lead to illegal sale of liquor in J&K.
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