Govt plans to issue more liquor licences: Excise minister

The State government is mulling over issuing licences to set up more liquor shops, Excise Minister Manohar Tahsildar has said.

“The government has not granted licence for setting up even a single liquor shop since 1992. The licences were issued 23 years ago depending on the population at that point in time. Going by the 2011 census, the government can issue 1,750 CL-2 licences. We have to take a decision in this regard,” Tahsildar said.

He was addressing a press meet in the town on Friday. The minister said liquor consumers were major contributors to the State exchequer and the government, therefore, would safeguard their interest. While the government has been increasing the prices of liquor every year, the vendors too are not selling it at MRP (maximum retail price). Retailers in villages are selling liquor over and above the MRP, he said. “This has been financially burdening liquor consumers. The government will accord top priority to address the issue,” the minister said.