The Election Commission vide its letter dated March 15, 2019 has granted permission to the State government to conduct liquor auction on the condition of adopting normal practice in previous years. This means, there should not be any deviation from previous year policy.

Against the permission, the Excise department is learnt to have breached the condition imposed by Election Commission by notifying the Excise policy 2019-2020, which is distinct from previous year policy. 

Earlier, the condition of renewal for the next year was based on 15 per cent higher price than last year amount for the liquor group now it has been increased to 20 per cent.

Now, provision has been made for selling Foreign liquor in country liquor shop, the said provision was not there in previous year policy. 

The state cabinet has approved only e-tendering for giving liquor contract for the shops which fall for fresh tender in excise policy but the Principle secretary excise has mischievously altered the mode of E- tendering by introducing the concept of E-biding plus E-auction.

The said concept of E-biding plus E-auction is introduced for the first time in excise policy for which no permission was given by state cabinet and introduction of such concept also breach the condition on which the Election Commission has granted the permission to conduct liquor auction.

The Present Excise policy for the year 2019-20 is distinct from previous year policy on above referred counts and conducting Liquor auction based on above referred conditions would amount to diversion from practice adopted in previous years thereby violating Election Commission directives and model code of conduct.     SR