Ex-Servicemen has demanded immediate renewal of CSD liquor licenses and removal of 20 per cent Excise Duty to bring back liquor prices in CSD canteens to old rates.
The increase in Excise duty by 20 per cent was probably done without bothering that the increase in excise will enhance the prices of liquor in CSD by 20 per cent. As a result, the cost of liquor in CSD canteens has increased and is badly affecting the budget of the ex-servicemen as the cost of even ordinary whisky has gone up by Rs 50 to Rs 100 per bottle. They have appealed to the chief Minister Harish Rawat to intervene personally to avoid this extra burden on service personnel. Inspite of repeated requests no action has been taken so far.
In formulating the new liquor policy effective from April 1, 2014, the State has further lowered the rates of liquor in civil market by further reducing VAT, but has ignored bringing down rates of liquor increased in CSD canteens.