Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, March 8: The state government has issued a gazette notification for e-auction of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and country liquor shops in a bid to bring transparency and hike revenue.
This is in line with the decision of the state cabinet on excise policy
2015-16.
Sources said the e-auction for 1,410 shops will be taken up in two phases. In the pilot phase, e-auction of 175 liquor shops of Balasore and Cuttack districts will be conducted March 23, with the rest of the shops in 28 districts being put up for e-auction April 8.
“In a first in the country, the Orissa government has adopted the e-auction process for IMFL and country liquor shops. In the pilot phase, the e-auction will be held for liquor shops of Balasore and Cuttack district. This method will then be implemented in all other parts of the state,” excise minister Damodar Rout said.
The state has engaged Central public sector undertaking MSTC Limited as the facilitator for the purpose.
The government has fixed `30,000 as application fee for IMFL shops and `60,000 for country liquor shops, which is non-refundable.
“To qualify for participation in e-auction, the bidders shall be required to apply online by submitting the ‘buyer registration’ form and then undergo scrutiny of original documents with MSTC Ltd/ EAC on payment of registration fee as specified in the sale notice , before the end date for bidder registration as specified in sale notice,” the notification said.
If no bid is received in e-auction for any shop or group of shops, the excise commissioner may notify another date for settlement of shops through e-auction or may allow these shops to be run by state government agencies or co-operative organizations with the licence fee as decided by the state government, according to the notification.
The licence shall be valid for one financial year and unless and may continue for a maximum period of three financial years, including the year of grant, subject to prior approval of the state government, it said.
Any person facing a trial in any criminal court under the Act or a person who has been charged with a non-bailable offence under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, or has criminal antecedents shall not be allowed to bid. Such persons will also not be granted any licence.
The All Orissa Wine Merchant Association secretary Prabhat Das opposed the government move. “The High Court has set March 20 as the date of hearing. How can they issue notification without hearing the HC order?” Das asked.