With a row revolving around the loss and profit in the liquor business in the State between the executive and legislature, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Wednesday set up a three-member panel to assess the “actual loss” due to the closure of liquor vends in view of the coronavirus outbreak.
Besides, the Chief Minister has also set up a panel of three Ministers to consider the issue of levying a special Covid cess on the sale of liquor.
The three-member Committee of senior officers, to assess the actual loss resulting from closure of liquor vends amid Covid-19, comprises the state Principal Secretary (Finance) Anirudh Tiwari, Principal Secretary (Excise and Taxation) A Venu Prasad, and Excise and Taxation Commissioner Vivek Pratap Singh.
In addition, the Chief Minister has also set up a Group of Ministers (GOM) comprising the Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal, the Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla, and the Housing and Urban Development Minister Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa, mandating it to consider the issue of levying a special Covid cess on sale of liquor, as has been done by certain other states in the wake of losses incurred due to the prolonged lockdown.
The GOM would also consider the Finance Department’s proposal, along with adjustment, if any, to be given to licensees in case of future lockdown/s (complete or partial during the financial year of 2020-21), and any other grievances and difficulties, as may be experienced or raised by the licensees.