HP Excise & Tax Department sells retail liquor vends totaling Rs 1,180 Cr

Excise and Taxation Department of Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday said against a total retail liquor vend business of Rs 1190 crore, the Department has sold business at a price of Rs 1180 crore in the State.

Principal Secretary, Excise and Taxation Sanjay Kundu said despite lockdown and recession in economy due to Covid-19 pandemic in the State, left out retail liquor vends of Shimla, Nurpur, Kangra and Sirmaur zones were sold for Rs  35.52 crore on Tuesday.

Kundu said that except Tuesday's auctions, rest of the business has been sold at full value. He said that the liquor vends have been sold for the first time without negotiation on renewal tender cum auction basis.

The official said last year the retail liquor business was valued at Rs 1085 crore and after negotiation the price went down to Rs 126 crore and net business was Rs 959 crore.  He said that against Rs 959 crore last year, this year the business has been sold for Rs 1180 crore.