‘Focus laid
on transparency, openness’
|
Jammu: Jammu and
Kashmir Excise Commissioner, R K Shavan today said that the new Excise Policy
introduced by the UT Government would greatly help in achieving the financial
targets despite COVID-19 challenges.
Addressing a press Conference
here, the Excise Commissioner said that the Policy is vibrant and has touched
all the important issues in the larger interest of public and Union Territory
of J&K. He said the focus has been laid on transparency and openness.
The Government of UT of
J&K vide notification SO 275 dated 31.08.2020 issued the Excise Policy for
the year 2020-21 effective from 1st September, 2020 till 31st March, 2020. In supersession of earlier Excise Policy, the
new Excise Policy aims at rationalizing the tax structure to optimise revenues
besides encouraging transition from High to Low Alcoholic drinks.
Highlighting the salient
features, he said the New Policy also aims at providing choice of brands to
consumers and level playing field to those in the trade adding that 50% Additional
Excise Retail Duty (ARD) commonly known as “Corona Tax” has been waived off.
“To generate additional
revenue for common good, bottling fee @ Rs. 10-12 per bottle has been
introduced on bottling of all kind of liquor.
Besides, the existing Excise Duties have been marginally increased. To bring about discipline and effective
enforcement, fixed License fee has been introduced for all kind of licensees at
different rates,” he added. The Policy,
he said, provides for grant of new licenses (Wine Shops) in un-served and
under-served areas through e-tendering process in a secured and transparent
manner. He said provision for
reservation to Ex-servicemen, Specially-abled SC/ST/OBC and Economically Weaker
Sections @ 2% each has been made while granting new license fee.
Giving further details, he
said that the new Start-ups established by availing loans under any of
self-employment scheme of the Government will get concession on up-front
fee. Such startups have to pay Rs. 5
lakh instead of Rs. 7 Lakh, he informed
“The Bars at the tourist
locations and areas falling under various Tourism Development Authorities shall
have to pay half of amount prescribed under annual license fee. For commercial properties meant for tourist
accommodation located in the Water-bodies in the tourist areas permits shall be
issued for serving liquor by charging Rs. 1 lakh as annual fee” he informed
further.
He said that the Banquet/Party
halls, who intend to serve liquor shall get registered with the Department by
paying Annual Registration Fee of Rs. 50 thousand.
“To curb bootlegging/smuggling
of Super Deluxe/Bottled in Origin (BIO) price correction has been made by
imposing additional assessment duty @ 20% instead of 40%, ” said and added that
to increase the quality and to comply with the FSSAI standards of JK Special
Whisky shall henceforth be 65o proof instead of 60o proof.
“Scope of Social
Responsibility Corpus Fund has been widened by including various activities in
order to achieve long term objectives of reducing the consumption of liquor and
drug abuse through education/mass awareness and other youth/community out-reach
programmes and through creating of sports/community infrastructure, libraries
etc” he added.
It is pertinent to mention
that the New Policy has authorised the Excise Commissioner to scrutinize all
the violations/frauds committed in grant and renewal of licenses in past. It has further been classified that the
validity of renewal of license shall be for one year as per the rules and not
for five years as in earlier Policy. A fee of 10-12 rupees has also been
imposed to generate revenue and ensure the duty on exports. The concession of
25% to Defence/Paramilitary forces on import and export duty has also been
allowed.
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