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Auction of arrack, toddy outlets begins

— Photo: T. Singaravelou

Online lessons: Collector G. Theva Neethi Dhas being briefed on the internet auction by Deputy Collector (Excise) R. Anbajagane.

PUDUCHERRY: The Excise Department on Wednesday set in motion the Internet auction of arrack and toddy shops whose permits were cancelled for the year 2008-09 in Puducherry and Karaikal regions.

Collector G. Theva Neethi Dhas said arrack and toddy shops whose permits were terminated for not renewing their licences were put on the auction. As per the rule, they had to renew the permit every year paying five per cent extra of the bid amount, he said, adding that it applied to those arrack and toddy shops auctioned for the period 2006-09.

While in Puducherry region, 73 out of the 98 arrack shops and 13 out of the 29 toddy shops renewed their annual permits, 13 out of the 95 arrack shops and 10 out of the 31 toddy shops renewed their licences in Karaikal region, he said.

The auction would continue for the next four days.

Mr. Dhas said last year, the renewal amount was fixed as upset price for 86 arrack shops renewed in both regions. The overall revenue increase for the year 2008-09 was Rs.1.83 crore, he added

The collector said the Union Territory had got the unique distinction of being the only State in the country to adopt the internet auction of arrack and toddy shops. The Excise Department had tied up with Auction India, a business to business e-tendering company, for conducting the bidding process, he said. The public could follow the auction process by logging on to the company website.

Those registering with the Excise Department to participate in the bidding process after remitting 10 per cent of the bid amount as earnest money deposit would be provided with a dynamic web page in Auction India site to participate in the auction, Mr. Dhas said.

Apart from making the entire exercise “transparent,” he said the revenue collected from the auction of arrack and toddy shops had gone up from Rs.29 crore in 2001, when e-auction was introduced, to Rs.60 crore during 2007-08.

Last year, the highest quoted monthly bid amount of Rs.15 lakh was for an arrack shop in Vanjur at Kariakal followed by Rs.12 lakh for an outlet near the New Bus Stand at Puducherry, Deputy Collector (Excise) R. Anbajagane said.

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