In the first phase, the e-auction process of liquor shops will be launched in Baleswar and Cuttack districts as a pilot project on March 23. The Excise Department has entrusted Central public sector undertaking MSTC limited for the purpose. The pilot project will be conducted to test the software system placed for the e-auction process.
Sources said at least 1,410 liquor shops would be e-auctioned in two phases. “Odisha is the first State to adopt e-auction method for liquor shops. Firstly liquor shops in Baleswar and Cuttack districts will be e-auctioned as a pilot project. later, all the rest shops in other districts will be put to e-auction,” said Excise Minister Damodar Rout.
Sources said the remaining shops would be put to e-auction on April 8. The sources said that after paying the required registration fee of Rs 10,000 plus Service Tax, one would be allowed to participate in bidding. This is nonrefundable.
The Excise Department has fixed the application fee of Rs 60,000 for IMFl ‘Off’ shops and Rs 30,000 for country spirit shops, which are nonrefundable. And the bidder will have to provide solvency certificate which is six times the reserve price per shop.
The entire process has been uploaded in the websites of the MSTC and the Department of Excise, said the official. Excise officials have been imparted training and necessary knowledge about the e-auction process.