The Hindu : Other States / Madhya Pradesh News : Govt. may enter liquor business

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 07, 2004

Other States

Other States - Madhya Pradesh

Govt. may enter liquor business

BHOPAL, APRIL 6. In the wake of substantial reduction in its work load, Madhya Pradesh State Agriculture Development Corporation proposes to enter the liquor business by operating wine shops.

With decontrol of urea which was earlier being channelled through the corporation, pressure of work has come down and it has evinced interest to run the wine shops not auctioned and being run by government, official sources said.

The proposal is now under government's consideration and after completion of formalities, the remaining shops may be given to the corporation, sources said.

There are 2500 country liquor shops and 583 foreign liquor shops in the state, of which till April 1 this year 482 country liquor shops and 148 foreign shops had not been auctioned and whose auction value is estimated at about Rs 283.22 crores.

The state government had received revenue of Rs 864 crores from the Excise department last year, while the revenue target for the current year has been fixed at Rs 968 crores, they said.

Under the new Excise policy, the state government expects Rs 104 crores rise in revenue from liquor business.

To implement the new policy, state government had faced several problems following objections raised by the Election Commission in view of coming Lok Sabha elections, sources said

The state government has authorised excise commission to allot remaining shops directly to the persons who apply after getting licence and completing formalities, the sources said, adding that remaining wine shops would be allotted on `first come first serve' basis.

-- PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Other States

News Update

Stories in this Section

Govt. may enter liquor business

BJP Foundation Day celebrated