Latest news with #ExcisePolicy
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
No decision taken on online liquor sales: Excise Minister M B Rajesh
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government has not taken a decision on allowing Bevco to conduct online liquor sales, Excise Minister M B Rajesh has said. The Beverages Corporation had submitted a recommendation in this regard. 'The Bevco had submitted a similar proposal during the formulation of the Excise Policy. However, the government decided not to pursue it,' he said. Bevco, in its latest proposal to the excise department, highlighted that it received a partnership proposal from online delivery platform Swiggy. As per the proposal, liquor would be sold to people after ensuring that their age is above 23 years. Bevco is also developing an app for doorstep delivery. Bevco has been receiving demands for alternatives for the crowded outlets and the tourism fraternity, too, had made such a demand. Rajesh said the government will not take unilateral decisions on matters pertaining to liquor because of the general public perception. 'People take a double standard on such matters. Those who implement such things in other states will oppose the same in Kerala,' he said, making a veiled reference on the opposition parties. He also hinted at hiking liquor prices in the state.
Indian Express
05-08-2025
- Indian Express
Punjab and Haryana HC seeks strict enforcement of 3 am deadline for bars, pubs in Panchkula
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday directed that no bar, club, or pub in Panchkula will be permitted to operate beyond 3 am, in accordance with Clause 9.8.8 of the Haryana Excise Policy (2025–27). The state gave an assurance to this effect in response to a Public Interest Litigation filed by a Panchkula resident, who alleged that several clubs in the city were running well past the prescribed limit. A division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Yashvir Singh Rathor was hearing the matter. Through his counsel, petitioner Ashok Bhandari, a resident of Sector 5, submitted that clubs and bars in Panchkula were continuing operations until 4.30 am or even later, creating serious public nuisance. He referred to para 13 of his petition, stating that elderly residents and morning walkers from his locality were being disturbed by unruly crowds in an inebriated state, loitering near public parks and roads in Sector 5 and other parts of the city. 'These establishments routinely function beyond the prescribed time, causing not only noise but also road safety concerns due to negligent driving by drunk patrons exiting the premises at dawn,' Bhandari contended. He clarified that he was not challenging the validity of the excise policy, which permits the sale of liquor in bars and pubs till 3 am after payment of a statutory fee. His grievance, he said, was limited to the 'continued and unchecked violation of this 3 am cap' by several establishments. He also flagged the absence of penal consequences in the policy for those violating this timeline. In response, the additional advocate general for Haryana submitted that the police were aware of such complaints and had already initiated action in recent months. He informed the court that: • Two First Information Reports had been registered against establishments for violation of excise norms. • 153 people found indulging in public nuisance outside such premises had been booked over the past two months. • The licence of one bar had been recommended for cancellation. He further stated, 'We have instructed the assistant commissioner of police and the area SHO [station house officer] to ensure that no bar, club, or pub is allowed to operate beyond 3 am. Any violations will invite strict action.' The state's counsel also cited the excise policy clause, which allows extension of bar operation timings till 3 am on payment of additional fees. He clarified that out of nine clubs in Panchkula, three had permission to operate till 2 am and six till 3 am. However, none could be allowed to function beyond that under any circumstances. Taking note of the submissions, the high court recorded the assurance from the state and disposed of the PIL, while granting the petitioner liberty to approach the court again in case of any fresh violation. 'We are assured that the statutory timeline prescribed under Clause 9.8.8 of the Excise Policy shall be strictly adhered to by the state and its functionaries. If any further breach occurs, the petitioner shall be free to seek appropriate legal remedy,' the bench said.
India Today
20-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Jagan Reddy's party MP arrested in Rs 3,200-crore liquor scam case in Andhra
Andhra Pradesh Police on Saturday arrested YSR Congress Party Lok Sabha MP PV Midhun Reddy in connection with the alleged Rs 3,200-crore liquor arrest was made at around 7.30 pm in Vijayawada after the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is probing the case, questioned Midhun Reddy for several Pradesh's Crime Investigation Department (CID) has registered a case under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act. The FIR was filed at the CID office in According to officials, the case involves irregularities in the implementation of the state's Excise Policy between 2019 and allege that the accused conspired to gain financial benefits from liquor distilleries and suppliers, causing a large loss to the state MP PV Midhun Reddy arrived in Vijayawada earlier in the day to appear before the Special Investigation Team. His questioning followed the recent arrests of other accused, namely Dhanunjay Reddy, Krishna Mohan Reddy and Balaji to the arrest, the YSRCP accused Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of misusing power and targeting leaders close to party chief Y S Jagan Mohan YSRCP leader Malladi Vishnu called the case against Midhun Reddy part of a larger 'vindictive conspiracy' aimed at weakening the party leadership."But we will bounce back and expose Chandrababu Naidu's failures and the corruption of the coalition government," Vishnu said in a senior party leader, L Appi Reddy, said Midhun Reddy belongs to a respected political family and expressed confidence in the legal process."His decision to attend the enquiry reflects his commitment to prove his innocence and his respect for the rule of law," Appi Reddy told PTI.- Ends
United News of India
04-07-2025
- Business
- United News of India
Haryana Excise Department nets Rs 12,615 crore from ongoing liquor vend auctions
Chandigarh, July 4 (UNI) The Haryana Excise and Taxation Department has achieved revenue of Rs 12,615 crore through the ongoing excise auctions, Excise and Taxation Commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh announced today. The department has successfully auctioned 1,081 out of 1,194 excise zones across the state. Retail liquor vend licensees are allowed to operate two vends in each zone, leading to the opening of over 2,150 retail liquor vends within the first three weeks under the new Excise Policy. The auction process is conducted through a fully transparent e-auction portal. Only 113 zones remain to be auctioned, which are expected to be completed within a few days. The Commissioner emphasized that the process is fair and competitive, with liquor licenses participating freely and bidding at market-driven prices. Singh further informed that, with the Cabinet approving the Excise Policy for an extended period until March 31, 2027, the department has already earned significantly higher revenue than last year. In the most recent auction round held on July 3, 2025, 21 more zones were auctioned, generating an additional Rs 215 crore. He added that although a similar number of zones have been auctioned this year compared to the previous year, the revenue has more than doubled. In comparison, the total license fee collected from auctions during the previous year, which continued till August 2024, stood at Rs 7,025 crore. The department is confident of surpassing the revenue targets set by the State Government. The Commissioner stated that strict action has been taken against individuals involved in threatening or extorting liquor licensees. With active intervention from the State Government, the Haryana Police has acted promptly against such criminal elements. Under the directions of the Chief Minister, the Home Department is closely monitoring any attempts to disrupt the auction process. As a result of recent crackdowns, bidder participation has increased significantly, leading to the successful auction of more than 125 zones, generating revenue of ₹1,370 crore in the last two weeks alone. UNI XC SSP
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Chandigarh administration notifies increased cow cess on vehicle registration, electricity and liquor
1 2 Chandigarh: Now pay a cow cess of Rs 1000 on the registration of four-wheelers in the city. On Monday, the Chandigarh Administration notified a cow cess of Rs 1000 on the registration of four-wheelers sold within the limits of the Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh. The administration also fixed 6 paise per unit as the cow cess on the electricity used within the limits of the Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh. "Currently, the cess on the registration of four-wheelers is Rs 500, and on two-wheelers, it is Rs 200. Currently, the cow cess is 2 paise per unit," said a UT official. The notification was issued by the UT local govt department under Section 7 of The Punjab Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955, as applicable to the Union Territory of Chandigarh. The cess is levied and collected by the departments of the administration but allocated to the Chandigarh MC. The cess on the registration of vehicles will be levied and collected by the Regional Licensing Authority (RLA), Chandigarh Administration, for private vehicles. For commercial vehicles, the cess will be levied and collected by the State Transport Authority, Chandigarh Administration. The Superintending Engineer Electricity (OP) Circle, Chandigarh Administration, will collect the cess. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Notably, in March this year, the MC house approved imposing an additional 6 paise on each unit of power. MC receives cow cess revenue through four administrative departments: State Transport Authority (STA), Registering and Licensing Authority (RLA), electricity department, and the excise and taxation department. The cow cess, as per the Excise Policy, will be levied at Rs 0.50 per bottle of 750 ml of Country Liquor, Rs 0.50 per bottle of 650 ml of Beer, and Rs 1 per bottle of 750 ml/700 ml of whisky, and will be deposited by the wholesale licensees in the dedicated bank account of the Municipal Corporation. The cow cess issue has been marred in controversy. "The administration in recent years slashed the share of MC in the cow cess collected by the UT excise and taxation department. In 2020-21, it was Rs 15.15 crore. It was Rs 20.25 crore in 2022-2023, but it was reduced to Rs 2.92 crore in 2024-2025.
