Battling growing alcoholism in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the administration has announced a revised excise policy, hiking duty on liquor by up to 25 per cent to make its price at par with that in metro cities and making cashless transactions mandatory for liquor purchase.
The revised excise policy, which comes with curbs on timings of liquor sale and restrictions on the bottles than can be purchased at a given time, will come into effect from January 1, 2017.
With the administration holding that the low price of liquor brands available in the Island responsible for the growing liquor menace, Island Lt Governor, Prof Jagdish Mukhi said the revised policy will ensure significant reduction in consumption of liquor.
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"As blanket ban can cause serious repercussions including rise of spurious liquor trade, the administration has decided to curb the menace of alcoholism in a methodical manner without causing abrupt unrest and to save future generations from falling to addiction," he told newsmen here last night.
As per the policy it will be mandatory for all bars in these islands to adopt cashless mode of transactions.
From January 1, 2017, cash will not be allowed for liquor business and only credit/debit cards or other online modes will be allowed in all liquor vending units. Traders in the business will be required to install POS machines to carry out such trades in future.
Some relaxation will, however, be accorded to ANIIDCO outlets, which is in the process of installing POS machines.
As per the revised excise policy all bars in Port Blair having license under B2 category will be authorised to function from 4 PM to 10 PM against the earlier timings of 11 AM to 11 PM, while those in hotels will only be open from 11 AM to 11 PM.
The timings of liquor selling units under Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation Limited (ANIIDCO) will remain unchanged from 9 AM to 12 noon and from 3 PM to 8 PM. But liquor on tourist vessels will be allowed to be served between 4 PM to 10 PM only.
"Dry days have been increased and liquor sale and consumption will be prohibited on all major religious festivals from next year. Purchase and storage of liquor by individuals from ANIIDCO retail outlet will also be restricted," he said.
As per the revised policy any individual would be able to purchase two 750 ml liquor bottles at a time, instead of existing four liquor bottles.
An individual would be entitled to purchase one bottle of 1000 ml liquor, two of 750 ml, six bottles of 650 ml beer or eight bottles of 500 ml can/bottle beer or 12 bottles/can of 330 ml beer or 12 bottles/cans of 275 ml of ready-to-drink, four bottles of 375 ml liquor and eight bottles of 180 ml liquor in a day.
Mukhi said individuals will be permitted to store
liquor/beer bottles double the specified quantity of liquors/beers they are allowed to purchase at a given time.
"Low rates of liquor brands prevailing in these islands is one of the major reasons for the growing menace of alcoholism. The revised excise policy will impose sharp hike in prices. Under it the rates will come at par with the liquor rates in major cities like Chennai, Kolkata and Delhi. The rates would increase by 20-25 per cent (approx) against the existing by increasing octroi and excise duty," the Lt Governor said.
Octroi and excise rates would be increased accordingly, he said, adding the excise policy will ensure sustained campaign to generate awareness on harmful effect of alcohol involving various agencies, including NGOs and voluntary organisations.
The Andaman and Nicobar police and the Directorate of Prohibition will launch a crackdown on illegal liquor trade to contain growing alcoholism in the islands, he added.
"Further as per the orders of Supreme Court, no liquor shops and bars will be allowed to operate from April 1, 2017 within 500 meters of national and state highways of the Islands' territory.
Licenses of existing vendors will not be renewed from January one 2017 and bar/liquor shop operators will be required to identify new premises as per the instruction of the apex court.
He asked all traders in the liquor industry to gear up for the changes and apply for renewal of licenses as per the revised excise policy and added that bureaucrats in the administration will ensure effective implementation of the revamped excise policy.
A separate Directorate of Prohibition was announced on Gandhi Jayanti this year.
