BJP takes on Uttarakhand govt over new excise policy

The principal Opposition in the state, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Uttarakhand government in the Vidhan Sabha at Gairsain over changes in the excise policy for the year 2014-15. The BJP alleged it would monopolise the wholesale foreign liquor (FL-2) business in the hill state.

As soon as the House assembled, the leader of the Opposition, Ajay Bhatt, with other BJP members, stormed into the well raising demand for a discussion under the rule 310 on the new excise policy.

Raising slogans against the government, Bhatt alleged the new policy was being changed to foment corruption in the state and would only benefit the mafia. Amid the din, Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal adjourned the House repeatedly. As the opposition members refused to heed pleas of the Speaker to maintain calm, Kunjwal was forced to adjourn the House sine die.

However, Chief Minister Harish Rawat later defended the policy. "This policy will be beneficial to Uttarakhand," said Rawat.