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The existing archaic policy allows the storage of only 2 bottles at a time, according to the report in Indian Express (Feb 4). Excise Commissioner Rakesh Srivastava reportedly says, there was a demand from new corporate houses and with the arrival of companies like TCS and Infosys in Indore, this step was needed. Anyway, some people were already storing and displaying liquor, he proclaimed.
‘The Policy which has been already cleared by the Chief Minister, according to the report, would be effective from April 1. Those falling in the income group would be allowed to store but they may not sell the liquor, which would need the separate requisite license according to the current procedures.’
‘The excise officials will have the power to enter and inspect the premises of the license holder at any time to check the quantity stored is within the legal limits and ensure that the cheaper liquor is not stored. Formulated ostensibly on the behest of corporate houses and to increase the excise revenue, it is not clear how much of extra revenues would be generated. Srivastava conceded he was not sure how much of revenue would be generated.’
The policy seemed constitutionally illegal and illogical to an extent and might have been considered elitist by many and even challenged in the courts for being discriminatory, based on the income. But even before it came to that stage, the MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan ordered the very next day on Friday, the scrapping of the 100 liquor bottles rule from the new excise policy that was to come in force from April 1. The provision was criticized by many after it was formally announced by Finance Minister Jayant Malaiyya in Indore on Thursday.
Due to the Federal structure and the Article 47 of the Indian Constitution, every State is authorised to form their independent policy related to alcohol.
Exhausted Elite ‘drink wine for good sleep’ in Bihar
Meanwhile, in a rather comic situation, the Bihar Social Welfare Minister Ms. Manju Varma reportedly made a rather bizarre statement that the government would find it difficult to enforce the proposed ban on English liquor, saying that the ‘elite drink liquor for good sleep’, thus raising a controversy. The Bihar government has announced a ban on country liquor from April 1 to be followed by English Liquor from September 1, even though there is talk to keep the English liquor outside the ambit of prohibition. Negligent amount of wine is consumed in Bihar. But she did say at the news conference last Wednesday, that ‘there were categories of rich people who drank expensive wine after getting exhausted.’ According to Indian Express, the Minister said, ‘Elite people such as doctors, engineers and lawyers drink after getting tired to get a good night’s sleep. It cannot be called a drinking habit. This is where banning English liquor could be difficult habit.’ Obviously she puts wine in the same category as liquor.
She later clarified that she had been talking in a general context. ‘I have not said anything wrong. Such things have been said before.’
Subhash Arora |