Wednesday, November 6, 2024
spot_img

Liquor license to get dearer

Date:

Share post:

spot_img
spot_img

State Cabinet bids to increase Excise revenue

By Our Reporter

 SHILLONG: In a bid to generate additional revenue for the Excise Department, the State Cabinet on Friday approved the increase of fees for procuring and renewing different categories of license required for liquor outlets.

Talking to reporters here on Friday, Excise Minister AT Mondal said that the increase in fees will help the department in generating an additional revenue of Rs 1.22 crore. With the new rates, the Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) retail shops will now have to pay Rs 60,000 instead of Rs 50,000 annually while Army canteens will now pay Rs 30,000 instead of Rs 20,000.

It may be mentioned that the last increase in the amount for acquiring liquor licenses was made in 2008.

The bars in and around the city will also bear the brunt as they have to pay Rs 60,000 instead of Rs 40,000 as the change in rates come into effect.

According to Mondal, the State Excise Department has targeted to generate a revenue of Rs 148 crore this year.

“Last year we managed to earn a revenue of Rs 129.12 crore even as the target set was Rs 124.42 crore,” Mondal informed.

However, despite the increase in license fee, the department is losing out on a large chunk of revenue to the many illegal wine shops that function throughout the state.

Reacting to a query, Mondal said that the Department is trying its best to ensure that there is no leakage of revenue. “We are frequently conducting raids in illegal wine shops,” he added.

spot_img
spot_img

Related articles

How are US polls conducted? Will Trump win again or will Harris script history?

The 2024 US presidential elections have emerged as a fierce contest between current Vice President Kamala Harris and...

HC tells govt, SBI to finalise MoU on provident fund issue by Nov 30

In a writ petition concerning the centralised provident fund scheme for staff at deficit-aided schools and colleges in...

Phan Nonglait Park’s footfall drops as Ri-Bhoi zoo nears inauguration

SHILLONG, Nov 5: With Meghalaya’s new zoo all set to open soon following the transfer of animals from...

TRANSFORMING STREETS

Students paint a portion of MG Road as part of the “Reimagining Streets” initiative, in Shillong on Tuesday....