Due to the shortage of the supply of English alcoholic beverages in 34 English liquor shops located across different parts of the district, the same is being sold at higher prices ranging from Rs 20 to Rs 70 depending on the brands of the liquor. The picture is almost the same in all the districts across Garhwal region. This is not just forcing those who consume it to shell our more to obtain it in the black markets but it is also resulting in the state exchequer losing substantial revenue in the process.
In Pauri district alone, the excise revenue per month is nearly Rs 4.50 crore. But it has plummeted to around Rs one crore thanks to the booze being scarce and sold in the blacks. Things have started so since the responsibility of supplying liquor to the wine shops was given to Garhwal Mandal Vikash Nigam and Mandi Parishad.
The common refrain is that liquor being supplied thus is neither in adequate quantity nor are they of good quality. The liquor shops are not following the norms and rules of the excise department. The department is unable to take action with the politicians meddling in it, the observers say.
However, district excise officer Prabha Shanker Mishra told The Pioneer that the department has taken action against the owners of the liquor outlets located in Srinagar, Kotdwar and Kalagarh for selling the stuff at prices higher than the fixed rates. “The department promptly acts of the complaints received. However, the shortage of staff is coming in the way of the enforcement department going for action as desired,” he added.