Liquor shortage hits market in state as govt dues pile up

Time of India

3 hours ago

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anchi: Liquor consumers in Jharkhand are facing a frustrating situation as several popular brands of IMFL (India Made Foreign Liquor) are currently out of stock at local shops.
Despite ready to pay, customers are being turned down as shops claim supplies have completely dried up, forcing many to settle for less familiar alternatives or make trips to neighbouring states.
Furthermore, even when premium brands are available, they often come in 750 ml bottles, which don't meet the demand for smaller sizes like 375 ml or 180 ml. Bablu Verma, a private sector professional, who visited IMFL shop at Circular Road on Sunday, said, "When I asked for the brand, the shopkeeper said there was a shortage of the particular brand, Then, I asked for two similar brands of whiskey and got the same reply.
Left with no option, I bought a cheap brand whiskey at the same price I pay for my favourite drink," Verma said.
Rajesh Rajak, a banker, said, "The shops in the city are charging anywhere between Rs 10-40 extra on each bottle."
Speaking to TOI, Subodh Jaiswal, general secretary of Jharkhand Sharab Vyapari Sangh said that the dearth of liquor brands is persisting in all districts of the state for the last 15-20 days due to pending payments to the Jharkhand State Beverage Corporation Limited (JSBCL) godowns by the govt.
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"There are enough stocks at the godowns, but they are not reaching the shops, as the govt is yet to clear the payments. The officials of the excise department responsible for clearing the payments are on leave, and no one has been given charge on their behalf," Jaiswal added.
Jharkhand sells around Rs 12 crore of liquor per day, which has reduced to Rs 3-4 crore due to the ongoing issue, said Jaiswal. "No multinational companies had sold liquor to Jharkhand in the last one month as they are yet to receive their payments of Rs 400-500 crore," he said.
When contacted, state excise department minister Yogendra Prasad, told TOI, "The excise commissioner was on leave for training, so the payments could not be cleared. Now he has joined, so within one-two days, the situation will come into normalcy."