Cutting across party lines, Punjab legislators today sought curbs on the illegal supply of liquor while the state government assured the Assembly that their concerns would be addressed in a new comprehensive excise policy.
Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal said the government was studying the excise policies of Kerala and Tamil Nadu and a new policy for the state will be brought in next year.
On the last day of the winter session of the Punjab Assembly, some of the MLAs even suggested that the sale of liquor should be banned in the state to end the menace of illegal trade.
Legislators expressed concern over the "rampant" illegal sale of liquor when the Punjab Excise (Second Amendment) Bill, 2017, was tabled by state Finance Minister Badal.
With the passage of this Bill, bringing foreign liquor into Punjab in quantities exceeding twelve bottles of 750 ml capacity each would be considered a non-bailable offence in the state.
Moreover, vehicles carrying more than three cases of liquor would be confiscated and would be released during trial only against cash or bank guarantee equivalent to the value of the liquor confiscated thereof, according to the Bill.
Speaking on the proposed legislation, Akali MLA N K Sharma said that some liquor contractors in his area in Zirakpur had opened more shops than they were licensed to, causing loss to the state exchequer.
Aam Aadmi Party MLA and leader of opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira demanded that the private distribution of liquor be contained.
AAP MLA Kanwar Sandhu said liquor smuggling was taking place in Punjab due to high rates of liquor here in comparison to other states.
Congress MLA Raja Amarinder Singh Warring said that some liquor shop owners in his area had opened small illegal vends near the area where the poorer people lived to boost sales.
Another Congress MLA Kuljeet Nagra demanded that opening of liquor vends should only be allowed with the consent of gram panchayats and local residents.
Congress MLA Fatehjung Bajwa said that illegal liquor shops opened in villages were causing revenue loss to the state exchequer.
He demanded that liquor sale should be banned in the state.
Finance minister Manpreet Badal lauded members of the House for highlighting issues connected with the illegal liquor trade. He said the Punjab government had already announced reduction in liquor quota by five per cent every year.
"We will come up with a comprehensive excise policy next year that will address the concerns of members," said Badal adding that the state government was already studying the excise policy of Kerala and Tamil Nadu before coming out with its own document.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)