Panchkula: Minimum average turnover increased to Rs 5 lakh under new excise policy

PANCHKULA: With the change in the new excise policy of Haryana, Panchkula has been kept in the special category among two other cities. The bar owners in the city are crying the pain of minimum quota of liquor and non-alcoholic items in the bars.

The new excise policy states that a bar licence in the form of L-4/L-5 license, operative in the previous year is now eligible for renewal only if they have procured minimum of two cases of IMFL/IFL/wine and two cases of beer on an average monthly basis from nearest L-2 vend. Further, they also have minimum average turnover of Rs 3 lakh per month arising from the sale proceeds of non-alcoholic items in the restaurants.

The corresponding figures in case of Panchkula, Gurugram and Faridabad which has been kept in special category, where four cases of IMFL/IFL/wine, four cases of beer and a minimum average turnover of Rs 5 lakh per month arising from sale proceeds from non-alcoholic items in the restaurants. The average turnover shall be computed for the period of operation of the bar in the previous year and as reflected in the VAT and SGST/CGST returns.

The bar owners whose sales do not equal to that of Gurugram and Faridabad bars and pubs, met Amit Khangwal, Panchkula deputy excise and taxation commissioner and raised their dissatisfaction about the new policy.

One of the bar owner, said, “In Panchkula, there are no such customers in comparison to Gurugram and Faridabad and there was no need to keep the city in the special category.” Amit said, “I have asked the bar owners to give me a written complaint so that I can forward this to the higher authorities so that their requests can be considered.”