The Uttar Pradesh government framed new rules for storage and marketing of denatured spirit and ‘bhaang’, making it mandatory to get licence for their sale and storage.
Besides, rules were simplified for breweries manufacturing bottled liquor and to make the working transparent.
These decisions were taken in a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow on Thursday.
Sources said that the government decided to amend UP Medicinal and Cosmetic Regulation Act, under which licence for sale and marketing of denatured spirit and bhaang would now be given by the Excise department.
“After amendments, the quota for denatured spirit and bhaang will be controlled under UP Medicinal and Cosmetic Regulation Act and dealers will have to take licence which will be renewed every third year,” a senior official said.
He added that to prevent the misuse of these drugs, Excise Commissioner would keep a digital watch on procurement and storage of denatured spirit and bhaang. These will also be brought under Medicinal and Toilet Preparations (Excise duty) Rule, 1956.
The official said that the government felt that under the present law, it was not feasible to give licence to medicinal or cosmetic units that used denatured spirit and bhaang in their products and after amendment, this requirement would be taken care of.
In another decision, the government gave its nod for amending UP Excise (Setting up of breweries) Act, which would bring about transparency in working and setting up of new breweries in the state. As per the amendment, only those breweries will be asked to prepare bottled liquor which will invest a minimum of Rs 50 crore and have no government dues.
“Such companies will be allowed to manufacture bottled liquor up to 90 per cent of their installed capacity. These companies will be asked to give an undertaking after which they will be given a two-year licence. If they fail to pay required fees, the licence will stand cancelled,” the official said.
The state government also sanctioned two bio-energy projects, at Saharanpur and Bijnor, to be set up by M/S Shiv Om Dayal Energies Pvt Ltd. at a cost of Rs 400 crore each and they will produce G-ethanol. Government benefits like waiver of stamp duty will be extended to them.
The state Cabinet also approved finances for setting up of medical colleges under new medical colleges attached with existing district/referral hospitals scheme in Ayodhya, Basti, Shahjahanpur, Firozabad and Bahraich. The Cabinet approved Rs 193.38 crore for Shahajahanpur, Rs 193.22 crore for Firozabad, Rs 197.92 crore for Basti, Rs 195.76 crore for Ayodhya and Rs 197.55 crore for Bahraich respectively.