Canned beer and country liquor have been made cheaper in Punjab under the new State excise policy which also eyes Rs5,040 crore revenue in 2015-16, as against Rs4,680 crore during the current fiscal. Though increase in revenue has been targeted, the minimum retail prices of Punjab made medium liquor and Indian made foreign liquor have been kept at same level as the current year, said a State Government spokesperson on Friday.
“The basic thrust of the policy was to provide good quality liquor at affordable prices to the consumers. The prices of country liquor, which is consumed by common man, will be brought down from the current level. This will be ensured by a Price Control Cell in the department,” he said.
In its new excise policy, which received Cabinet’s nod on Friday, the department was also introducing country liquor of “75 degree strength keeping in view the demand for this from the consumers”.
The quota of country liquor was pegged at 9.80 crore proof litres as against 9.50 crore proof litres during the current year. The quota of IMFl was retained at the existing level of 4.5 crore proof litres. This year, canned beer, both light and strong, was going to be made available at the duty of light beer — a move aimed at weaning away people from hard drinking.
Keeping in view the prevailing scenario, the maximum retail prices of liquor to be served in the marriage palaces for various functions, have been fixed and would be displayed on the department’s website and the same would be made available at the offices of the department at the time of issuing permits.
The liquor served in the functions at marriage palaces would be made available at lesser prices. Now, people could buy liquor from any vendor in the relevant circle. There should not be any checking during the functions barring in exceptional circumstances, said the new policy.
This year, the number of vends have not been increased and have been kept at 6,464.
In another significant decision to mop up the revenue and making the lotteries in the state more effective, the Cabinet gave green signal for framing the Punjab State lotteries Rules, 2015. Under the Punjab Private Universities Policy-2010, the Cabinet also approved the bills for setting up of two self-financed universities — Surya World University at Bapror in Patiala district and Akal University, Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda district — to impart quality higher education.
The Cabinet also approved World Bank-funded Rs2200 Crore Second Punjab Rural Water and Sanitation Sector Improvement Project aimed at ensuring higher service level of drinking water supply and sanitation, effective operation and maintenance of rural drinking water supply schemes and construction of toilets in all villages making Punjab free from open defecation.
Special provision of Rs171 crore has been made for rejuvenation of water supply and sewerage schemes in water-logged areas. The project would be implemented in six years from 2015 to 2021.
In another significant step aimed at creating a pool of trained manpower in civil aviation sector, the Cabinet decided to constitute Punjab State Civil Aviation Council (PSCAC) which would coordinate and expand civil aviation training with optimum utilization of existing resources, augmenting infra structure and acquiring new equipment.
Cabinet also gave its concurrence for another amendment in the Punjab Minor Mineral Rules, 2013, that would help the Industries Department to operate the quarries through Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation for checking the prices of sand or gravel in the state.
It also approved construction of new Jail at Sri Goindwal Sahib under the Optimum Utilisation of Vacant Government land (OUVGl) Scheme and the entire expenditure on its construction would be met by PUDA.
Cabinet also gave ex-post facto approval for the creation of posts of fifth Punjab Finance Commission, which has been constituted to make specific recommendations for distribution of taxes, duties, road tax and others amongst the Panchayats or Municipalities and the State besides making further recommendations for the improvement of fiscal health of these civic bodies.
The Cabinet also discussed the crisis being faced by the sugar mills in the State due to steep fall in the wholesale prices of the sugar in the market. To recommend measures to cope up with this prevalent crisis, the Cabinet decided to set up a committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary.