Chandigarh sees 22 pc jump in revenue from liquor vends

The UT Chandigarh managed to register 22 per cent growth in revenue collection from the auction of 53 liquor vends, despite the ban on liquor shops within 500 meters of highways.
One liquor shop was auctioned at the highest ever price of Rs nine crore.
Against the reserve price of Rs 139 crore from the auction of 53 liquor vends, the UT Chandigarh excise and taxation department got bids to the tune of Rs 170 crore, an official of the department said here today.
"We have seen 22 per cent growth in revenue collection from the auction of 53 liquor vends," the official said.

The department also saw highest ever revenue bid of Rs nine crore for auction of a liquor shop located in sector 42 here, followed by Rs seven crore bid for a vend in sector 44.
"Under the single unit system, the liquor vend in sector 42 was auctioned at highest ever price of Rs nine crore," he said.

In the wake of Supreme court order, there will be 77 liquor vends in the city for the year 2017-18. As many as 22 liquor vends were shut down which were within the 500 meters of the highways, the official said.
The department has pegged the revenue of Rs 202 crore from the auction of 77 liquor shops for the year 2017-18.

"The decision for the auction of remaining liquor shops will be taken soon," he further said.
UT Chandigarh excise and taxation department has also raised the liquor quota by 10 per cent.
"The quota for the Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) has been raised to 74.25 lakh proof litres and for country liquor at 8.25 lakh PL," the official said.
He said efforts have also been made to keep the price of low-alchohol drinks like beer and wine low.