The Chhattisgarh government on Tuesday denied any transfer of funds collected from the liquor cess imposed during Covid-19 to be handed over to the Health Department.
The BJP members raise the issue and after the Speaker’s nod tabled a Gazette notification in the House to make their point.
BJP's Ajay Chandrakar sought details from the Commerce and Industries Minister regarding two Gazette notifications issued on May 2 and 15 regarding the cess on each liquor bottle as Special Covid Cess.
How much of the funds have been transferred to the Health Department, the balance that remains and whether the money has been utilized under any other head. Chandrakar said Rs 36 crores were transferred for the Swami Atmananda English Medium School and Rs 200 crores for the CM’s infrastructure development.
Forest Minister Mohammed Akbar in his reply denied any diversion of funds to other heads from the excise cess. He said the funds are available with the government. But the opposition continued to parrot its argument.