Excise policy to be overhauled

Tue, Mar 25 01:20 AM

The Delhi government will overhaul its Excise policy in the next few weeks and make it liberal in tune with the changing times. In his Budget speech Delhi Finance and Excise Minister A.

K. Walia hinted at liberalisation and said that the archaic Punjab Excise Act, 1914 as extended to Delhi, will be changed.

Asked about the important elements of the new excise policy, Walia refused to give details saying it would be presented before the Delhi Cabinet and only then made public. "We have drafted a new Excise Bill based on the Model Bill suggested by the government of India, which will pave way for reforms in the Excise sector," the minister said.

The Bill will be discussed and passed by the Delhi Assembly soon. Officials said that in the Delhi Excise Bill, most of the provisions have been incorporated from the Model Excise Bill, formulated by the Joint Working Group of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, government of India.

Delhi has only changed certain provisions which, it was felt, was counterproductive and "bold". For example, while the model Bill has favoured drinking age lowered to 18 years from 25 at present, Delhi wants it to remain at a more moderate 21 years.

According to the Model Excise Bill, liquor shops would remain open from 10 am to 12 pm (midnight) on all seven days. There would be only seven "dry days" in a year - April 14 (Ambedkar Jayanti), August 15, October 2 and January 26.

The state governments are free to decide another three days depending on festivals of local importance. To tone up the administration, an Excise Intelligence Bureau (EIB) would be set up to collect intelligence and keep surveillance on the violations.

The penalties are harsh. Unlawful import of foreign liquor would mean that the person would spend six months in jail and pay a fine of Rs 1 lakh.

Drinking in public places and creating nuisance could also lead to six months jail sentence. Quasi-judicial powers would be given to the Excise Commissioners to administer the newly formed Act.

Officials said after Delhi gets its own Excise Act, it would become easier for them to make the changes as and when necessary. "At present, we have to depend on central government for every decision," said a senior official.

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