Hearing on a petition seeking reduction in license fee for liquor shops considering the loss sustained due to the lockdown, the Uttarakhand High Court has directed the state government to form a committee under the chief secretary and take a decision in the matter within four weeks. The single bench of justice Sharad Kumar Sharma issued this direction while hearing a petition filed by liquor shop contractor from Uttarkashi, Saurabh Rana.
The petitioner has stated that when the liquor shop was allotted to him on March 19 this year, the business hours were from 10 AM to 10 PM. The tax, license fee and other aspects for the shop were decided on the basis of this timing.
However, liquor shops could not open during April due to the lockdown. Earlier in May, the timings for shops were from 7 AM to 1 PM and more recently from 7 AM to 4 PM. This has caused a major revenue loss. Considering this, the petitioner has sought reduction in license fee and other taxes. After hearing the matter, the court directed the petitioner to present an intercession to the district excise officer under section 35 of excise policy 2020. The district excise officer will send this to the state administration where a committee will be formed under the chief secretary to take a decision in the matter within four weeks.