New Excise policy kept on hold

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, APRIL 23.

Faced with protests from MLAs and social organisations and weary about the likely political fallout of the storm raised by the new Excise Policy, the Delhi Government today announced that the new policy had been kept in abeyance till May 31 and the present policy would continue till then.

A decision to this effect was taken following a meeting between the Chief Minister, Ms. Sheila Dikshit, and the Finance Minister, Mr. Mahinder Singh Saathi. The subject is reported to have come up for discussion when the Chief Minister went to enquire about Mr. Saathi at his residence today and it was decided to defer the policy till the dust settles down.

The decision to sit down and review the liquor policy, which had raised many questions, is also being attributed to the pressure from the private liquor lobby and those sections which have been hit by the new terms and conditions, the Government also announced extension of date for receiving applications for L-1 license from April 26 to May 10.

An official release by the Direction of Information said the Government had received several suggestions and representations from elected representatives and other organisations to make certain changes in the Excise Policy for 2001-2002, which was approved by the Cabinet. In view of the above, it has been decided to extend the current excise policy till May 31, by which time it was expected to consider the suggestions.

Since the announcement of the new Excise Policy, the Government has been faced with protests from its own MLAs and the Opposition who have protested against certain clauses. Never before had the Excise Policy become so controversial. The Finance Minister will have to do much explaining to the MLAs and the people on the issue.

But the most desperate have been the MLAs who have been exercised over the removal of the mandatory obligation to secure a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for opening a liquor outlet in their areas. They have lodged their protest with the Chief Minister, Ms.Sheila Dikshit, and are waiting for Mr.Saathi, to recover from his illness.

It is understood that the matter was also raised with the party high command but it did not evoke a positive reaction. But what is most surprising is the way MLAs have been clamouring for restoring the NOC clause. In fact, it is understood that not all MLAs are in favour of restoring the NOC clause and many are of the view that they should be spared this.

``Only those MLAs who feel that they personally stand to lose heavily are making a hue and cry. If it is not in the interest of the people and the area, no MLA would allow opening of a liquor outlet. Some MLAs stand to gain as more than four five liquor outlets are proposed to be opened in their area under the new privatisation scheme,'' remarked a senior MLA.

Mr.Saathi, who is likely to resume work tomorrow, is expected to review the entire situation.

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