SHILLONG, Nov 26: Excise Minister Kyrmen Shylla has downplayed the apprehension that introduction of Central Bonded Warehouse would promote mafia system in the state, while asserting that the new system will get rid of revenue leakage.
Speaking to The Shillong Times here on Thursday, Kyrmen Shylla said that the state government has taken the decision to introduce the Central Bonded Warehouse (CBW) with the sole motive of plugging the leakage of revenue.
“I don’t know how CBW will lead to mafia system in the state,” he said.
Shylla pointed out that the department will work on this system properly and if the idea does not work, the department will make necessary changes in the system from time to time.
The Meghalaya Government has been maintaining that the bonds will be given a minimum profit margin eligibility of 8 per cent while the overall revenue of the Excise department and the state will jump manifold since all the 44 bonded warehouses in the state would purchase products from the CBW and even the ad valorem tax will be paid by the central warehouse. (The Opposition Congress and the BJP, an ally of the MDA Government, have been vociferous in condemning the state government’s move.
The State unit of the BJP had earlier said that the CBW will monopolise the liquor business in Meghalaya and few people will control the entire supply of liquor in the state.
When asked about the allegations that the CBW is meant to benefit only a few people, Shylla said that if that was the case the government would have kept the entire matter close to its chest but the government has gone for open tendering under which any party, based on their eligibility, can participate in the bidding process.