Jharkhand govt heading towards `Partial Prohibition’

Shashank  Shekhar

Ranchi ( Jharkhand) : Inching slowly towards ‘Partial Prohibition’, Jharkhand government has  taken major steps by cutting down the numbers of liquor shops by about two- third  bringing it down to 492 from 1,432 shops  in one go which included country and composite liquor shops.

Now all shops selling liquor including country, spicy liquor and Indian made foreign liquor (IFML),  will be sold and managed by Jharkhand  state beverages corporation Limited (BSBCL) staff (though private agencies staffs have been hired in initial phase) while the sale timing in urban and rural areas has been shortened to  discourage  consumption of liquor. The new order came into force on August 1, 2017.

Giving details of  the new excise policy of Jharkhand government, Excise  Secretary Avinash stated that though the government has given approval for 492 shops across the state, but in the first phase only 210 shops will be opened. As per the Excuse Secretary, maximum of 60 shops will be opened in East Singhbhum district while a minimum of only 8 shops will be opened in naxal infested Latehar district with big change of timing.

Wine shops in urban areas will sell liquor from 1 pm to 10 pm taking one hour break from 4 to 5 pm  making it 8 hours duty while in the rural areas  liquor will be sold from 12 noon till 8 pm and every consumer will get receipt of purchase he makes. If more than two cartons of liquor is found in house of any person action shall follow as per Excise Rule.

“We will strictly implement Excise Act to check illegal sale of liquor in the state  while discouraging consumption of liquor in the state. We expect to earn a revenue of Rs 1,500 crore from excise duty  in currect fincial year,” hoped the Excise Secretary.