Shimla May, 20: New excise policy of the state government to fix minimum selling price and doing away with earlier practice of fixing the maximum retail price (MRP) and displaying the same, had proved boon for liquor contractors while the consumers, especially the tourists, are being fleeced and overcharged.
The same brand of liquor is being sold at different prices and liquor vendors are having a field day, while consumers are at the receiving end. The Excise Department had changed the policy to create healthy competition but the move has backfired and a large number of complaints are pouring in.
“We are aware of it as a number of complaints have been received. We are taking measures to ensure that the consumers are not fleeced “, said Additional Commissioner, Excise and Taxation, K K Sharma. He, however, was non-committal on reversing the policy.
“The process of streamlining of prices is underway and we are taking action on the complaints”, he added. As no MRP has been fixed, the departmental officers are handicapped and cannot take any action and customers quarrelling with vendors at liquor shops has become a common site.
Regular consumers of liquor from other states, who are aware of the price range of different brands of liquor, are enraged over the high prices being charged. “Had we known that we would be fleeced in Himachal, we would have brought our own liquor”, said Jatinder Singh, a tourist from Punjab.
“There are no rates and we purchased bottle beer for Rs 180, Rs 220 and Rs 230 from different shops during past three days”, said another tourist. The government had given some concession following shifting of liquor vends from prime locations in view of Supreme court orders to remove all liquor vends, including bars within 220 km from national and state highways, but the vendors are making full use of it which is bringing bad name to the state.
Source Tribune
