The licensed liquor outlets across the State continue to sell beer and hard liquor at rates much higher than maximum retail price (MRP). At a time when the State Government has set an increased revenue target of Rs 2550 crore for the excise department in the coming year, the continued overpricing dents the revenue generation and also affects tourism sector while the authorities fail to prevent such blatant violation of law.
It is not an uncommon sight to see customers arguing with the vendors at various liquor shops across Dehradun city for overcharging them, flouting the MRP rates.
Anupam, one of such customers, was found fuming after shelling out more than MRP rate while buying a beer can from a liquor shop at Aaraghar. “While the MRP rate of beer is Rs 95 the shopkeeper is charging Rs 110. This practice must be stopped by the State Government with a heavy hand,” he said.
Another customer, echoed the same sentiment, saying that he had purchased a bottle of beer while coughing up more than the MRP rate at liquor shops located at Clock Tower and Gandhi Park. “When I asked the shop employees to explain the higher rate they told me arrogantly to either purchase at that rate or simply clear out. The shopkeepers changing rates whimsically, the prices vary from hour to hour,” he alleged.
Despite the Dehradun district excise officer Manoj Kumar Upadhyay having assured action on the overpricing complaints, the customers are being fleeced by the liquor vendors with impunity.
Observers attribute the overpricing trend to the laidback attitude of the excise department officials. “Nothing has changed on the ground despite the regime change in the State and the Minister pledging repeatedly to end the practice. lack of inspection by the excise department is what is emboldening the vendors to fleece the customers at their sweet will,” says an observer.
Notably, the State Government had released licenses to 503 liquor shop owners - 176 country liquor shops, 248 Indian Made Foreign liquor shops and 79 composite liquor shops. The state excise department officers claimed to have earned Rs 1870 crore this financial year so far.