The Liquor Sellers’ Welfare Association (UP) criticised the new excise policy (2020-21), saying that it would adversely affect their business across the state.

LSWA leader Kanhaiya Lal Maurya said that the new policy did not address their demand to increase time of sale of liquor.

“We had made representation on a number of occasions in the past to put forward our demand to increase the sale timing. Senior officials and the excise minister had promised to do so but it has not been done,” he said.

Maurya also criticised the government policy to not allot more than two shops to a businessman. “Earlier, there was such provision at the district level and it was feasible. This way the government has limited the prospect of those interested in liquor business,” he said.

Maurya said the government had increased excise duty by 4 per cent in the sale of desi liquor and thereby slashed the profit of the licencees to another low.

Maurya said that the new policy would force a licencee to take stock for IMFL and beer, failing which he would face cancellation of allotment and penalty for failing to meet the quota.

“This will make the business difficult as the seller hardly has any business through push sale,” he pointed out.

The LSWA leader further said that all fees like fee for renewal, fee for licence and excise duty had been increased which would cut into the profits of a licencee.

“The rate of a pint of desi liquor has also been increased by Rs 5 in the new policy,” he said.

On Wednesday, members of Liquor Sellers Welfare Association held a meeting to discuss their future strategy on the issue.

“Liquor sellers are already passing through an adverse phase in business due to strictness and police raids at model and liquor shops. The sale is not as high it used to be earlier. Under these conditions, the news excise policy will prove to be the final nail in the coffin for liquor sellers,” Maurya said.

A delegation of the LSWA will meet the excise minister soon and submit its demand seeking relaxations.