Aman Sood
Tribune News Service
Patiala, December 13
Despite repeated assurances by the government, the liquor mafia in Punjab is making a killing by charging exorbitant rates. The mafia, having political backing, controls almost 80 per cent of the liquor trade.
Taking Strict action on plaints
Minimum rates have been fixed to promote competition in the market. No one can form a cartel. Strict action is ensured whenever we get complaints. A Venu Prasad, Additional chief secretary-cum-financial commissioner, Taxation
Mafia dictates prices
- A major portion of liquor trade is controlled by four groups, having cartels in all districts
- If a particular brand of liquor is needed, it will be as per their rates only
According to information gathered from various districts, same brand of liquor is sold at different rates at different vends, without any valid reason. While opposition leaders blame the government for the menace, excise officials say they act on complaints received.
To promote competition, the excise policy has fixed minimum rates of liquor. Insiders claimed that a major portion of the trade was now controlled by four groups that had formed cartels in every district. “If you want a particular brand of liquor, either it will be as per their rates or you will not get it anywhere,” said an insider.
In this regard A Venu Prasad, Additional Chief Secretary-cum-Financial Commissioner, Taxation, said anyone could buy liquor from any vend. “Minimum rates have been fixed to promote competition in the market. No one can form any cartel. Strict action is ensured whenever we get complaints,” he said.
Interestingly, excise officials denied existence of syndicates. Information revealed that the syndicates in connivance with police and excise officials raid marriage palaces, put up illegal ‘nakas’ and “do not allow liquor to be served at any function” if it was “not bought from the vends” controlled by them. Such syndicates are allegedly operating in Amritsar, Khanna, Jalandhar, Patiala, Bathinda, Ferozepur and Ludhiana.
Former Cabinet minister Bikram Singh Majithia claimed the government’s failure to curb the syndicates meant people were paying more for liquor and the excise revenue was being pocketed by the mafia. Senior AAP leader Harpal Cheema said he frequently got complaints about how the liquor lobby was selling liquor at high rates. “The rates are 40 per cent higher for functions and the government has done nothing to curb the menace,” he added.
Deputy CM OP Soni said overcharging for liquor would not be tolerated. “I will ensure that such rates are not charged. Let me get complete information on overcharging for liquor, if any,” he said, adding that the Oppositon was merely playing politics.
Liqour cartels calling shots in state, charge at will
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