The State cabinet in its meeting held on Monday gave its approval to the new excise policy-2023-24. In an attempt to curtail the sale of illicit liquor and smuggling from other States the policy envisages bringing parity in prices of the liquor bottles of regular brands. There would not be a difference exceeding Rs 20 per bottle between the prices of liquor of regular brand in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The excise department has also decided to carry forward the licences of existing liquor shops for the year 2023-24 as well. The existing license holders would have to submit an additional surcharge of 15 per cent on last year's rates to renew their licenses. The licences of the shops which are not renewed would be allotted on the basis of a lottery. The State government has set up a target of Rs 4,000 crore for the excise department. In another decision the government has decided to levy a cess of Rs three on sale of every bottle of liquor in the state. A sum of Rs one each has been levied for sports, women welfare and conservation of bovine species.
In another decision the cabinet decided to extend existing fitness charges for the vehicles engaged in mining for one more year. The cabinet also gave its nod to the proposal that has a provision of self attestation to the applicant for construction of single story houses.
