UT Liquor Contractors Boycott Meeting Over Policy Grievances

The Deputy Commissioner’s office in Chandigarh hosted a second meeting for liquor license holders, organized by the Commissioner of Excise and Taxation. However, UT liquor contractors boycotted the meeting, having already issued a refusal. Members of the Chandigarh Wine Contractors Association (CWCA) did not participate in the meeting, citing the administration’s rigid stance and lack of willingness to cooperate with liquor businesses. CWCA President Darshan Singh Kalair accused the Excise Policy 23-24 of causing significant losses to liquor contractors due to the failure of 18 shops to sell and alleged that the administration was pressuring liquor vendors to fulfil 100% of their quota by raising concerns. Contractors reached out to the UT Excise and Taxation Department for relief related to unsold shop quotas, contacting the PBHSC for guidance. The PBHSC directed the Excise Department to consider the matter within 10 days under legal notice. The administration has called for a hearing on December 7, at noon, where Collector Revenue Rupesh Kumar will evaluate appeals from litigants. The CWCA appealed to Administrator Banwari Lal Purohit to assess the current market situation and formulate the upcoming Excise Policy with consideration for their concerns.