SHILLONG: After almost a month since the state government introduced the Central Bonded Warehouse, several bonded warehouses have come out in opposition of the move, stating that it would affect their functioning.
In a petition submitted to the Excise Minister James Sangma, a total of 12 bonded warehouses intimated him that the amendment would drastically affect the working of existing bonded warehouses, while also lamenting that it was introduced without involving the stakeholders.
Stating that a hurried amendment is a buried amendment, the petitioners added that “the move to amend the very basic structure of institutional framework by allowing the establishment of a Central Bonded Warehouse (CBW) would also result in the hike of liquor prices, thereby affecting the revenue of the state”. “The change will become the biggest failure and dangerously structured dam, which would block the flow of progressive demand and supply balance,” the petition added.
Meanwhile, the state BJP, an ally in the MDA, has strongly opposed the move, stating that centralising the bonded warehouses will not benefit all 44 bonded warehouse owners in Meghalaya but only the four who will control the entire system of supply.