The liquor market in Uttarakhand has continued to suffer from various anomalies apart from sale of alcohol at rates above the maximum retail price (MRP). The amount charged above the MRP varies from Rs five to Rs 20 and above depending on factors like location of the shop and liquor brand among others. This was confirmed yet again when a team formed by Dehradun district magistrate Ravinath Raman conducted surprise inspections at various liquor shops in the district with some of the vendors being found charging customers above the MRP. Directing officers concerned to impose Rs 5,000 penalty on each of these outlets, the DM ordered that additionally such vendors will have to keep the shutters of their outlets down for the period ordered.
The DM said that sale at more than MRP rates was ascertained in seven liquor outlets in the district. Apart from each paying Rs 5,000 in penalty, the shops will also be ordered shut for varying periods depending on the particulars of their case, said Raman.
At the country made liquor shop at Ballupur, the inspection team found that the customers were being charged above the MRP. This outlet was also found flouting the time limit for liquor shops remaining open till 12.20 am. A penalty of Rs 5,000 was imposed on the vendor who has also been asked to keep the outlet closed for a period of three days from February 27. Similarly, customer being charged above the MRP resulted in Rs 5,000 penalty being imposed on a vendor who was also ordered to keep the outlet at Dhalanwala shut for a day.
Among the shops visited by the team, sale at above MRP rates was ascertained in liquor shops at various locations including Dakpatthar, Near Kargi Chowk on the Haridwar bypass road, Rajpur Road and Shastrinagar with a penalty of Rs 5,000 being imposed on each. The DM further directed excise inspectors to deposit the amount collected in penalty in the treasury office without delay and inform the district magistrate’s office about the same without delay. The inspectors were also directed to ensure that the penalised shops are kept closed to business for the period ordered.