High court seeks reply from govt on special corona fee

The Delhi high court, on Friday, asked the Delhi government to file a detailed affidavit on a batch of pleas challenging the decision to levy 70 per cent “special corona fee” on the MRP of liquor of all brands in the national capital.

The Delhi government had earlier filed its response to the petitions, saying that trade or consumption of liquor is not a fundamental right of a citizen and the state has the authority to regulate its sale and levying 70 per cent “special corona fees” on MRP of all alcohol brands is a price for grant of such privilege to the public.

The affidavit said that owing to the clamp down on all economic activities due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) lockdown, the revenue of Delhi government (which primarily comes from VAT/GST collection, state excise, and stamp duty) has shrunk by almost 90 per cent in April 2020.