With liquor shops in Jammu and Kashmir shut since March 24 due to the COVID-19 related lockdown and to remain so at least till May 17, the J&K Excise Department has pegged its losses for the period at Rs 3.5 cr per day.
Excise Commissioner, Rajesh Kumar Shravan said in an interview that the department is facing the loss of Rs 3.5 crore per day. “As per the data of last year financial data, we have generated the revenue Rs 100 crore per month,” he added.
He added that loss cannot be compared with the precautionary measures of COVID-19. “I am sure the loss will be compensated once the market is open and will have good business,” he said.
“We have devised the strategy to meet the financial targets, as well as loss, occurred due to lockdown. Moreover, once the liquor shops reopened the department will recover its loss as the demand for liquor is increasing,” J&K Excise Department Commissioner, Rajesh Kumar Shravan said in an interview.
On the opneinning of liquor shops, he said “the opening of liquor shops is policy decision and the government is keeping watch on the situation. Once the situation is conducive the liquor shops will be opened”.
“The liquor policies vary from state to state and according to the policy of J&K, the liquor shops come under non-essential items, so they are closed,” he said, when asked about the other states are allowing the sale of liquor.
Admitting the reports of a surge in the trade of illicit liquor, Rajesh Kumar said that stern vigil they have destroyed 23000 litres of Lahan so far. “We have intensified nakas, enforcement wings to take action against the sale of illicit liquor. Hopefully, we will control the crime,” he said.
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