New excise policy gets nod, Meerut zone scrapped

LUCKNOW: UP cabinet on Tuesday approved the new excise policy for 2018-2019 that will be implemented uniformly in all the districts. The new policy provides for district wise whole sale licences instead of zonal licences and scrapping of the privileged Meerut special zone comprising districts of west UP. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath presided over the meeting of the state cabinet.

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh cabinet on Tuesday approved the new excise policy for 2018-2019 that will be implemented uniformly in all the districts. The new policy provides for district wise whole sale licences instead of zonal licences and scrapping of the privileged Meerut special zone comprising districts of west Uttar Pradesh.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath presided over the meeting of the state cabinet. With the new excise policy in place, the state government expects an increase of R4672.99 crore by earning an estimated revenue of R 20,402.99 crore in 2018-2019 against R15,730 crore likely to be received in 2017-2018. This will mean an increase of 29.71 percent in the excise revenue.

Briefing media persons, UP government spokespersons Siddharth Nath Singh and Shrikant Sharma said retail licences would be given by selection of

licensees through e-lottery. Applications will be accepted online and in order to check fake and proxy applicants. Aadhar cards, PAN cards, income tax returns and certificate showing financial status has been made mandatory.

The policy provides for maximum two licences in favour of one applicant individually or in collaboration with any other licensee.

Renewal of licence for 20192020 will be made on request of licensees giving 40 percent

increase in licence fee for Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), 30 percent increase in licence fee for beer and six percent increase in minimum guaranteed quota for country made liquor.

A provision for payment through debit cards, credit cards, RTGS and NEFT has been made to give a boost to e-payments.

BUDGET SESSION FROM FEBRUARY 8

Uttar Pradesh cabinet on Tuesday decided to hold the budget session of the state legislature from February 8. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath presided over the meeting of state cabinet.

The business advisory committee of the state assembly would decide the date for presentation of state’s budget for 2018-2019 and the budget session will continue till March 20.

There are indications that minister for finance Rajesh Agarwal may present the budget on Feb 15 or 16.