Ranchi: Four months after the implementation of the new excise policy in Jharkhand the sale of liquor has reduced in 11 districts of the state.
The sales efficiency (sales) of retail liquor shops in these districts was not found satisfactory. These include Ramgarh, Dhanbad, Garhwa, Lohardaga, Simdega, Palamu, Jamtara, Pakur, Giridih, Saraikela- Kharsawan and West Singhbhum districts. Now Excise Commissioner Kamleshwar Prasad Singh has sought clarification from the Assistant Commissioners of these districts.
The Excise Commissioner has said that the sales for the month of August of the current financial year 2022-23 have come down significantly.
For the month of August, the target of sale of liquor worth Rs 392.32 crore was set from the entire state whereas in the month of August only liquor worth Rs 251.14 crore was sold in all 24 districts.
He has said that this makes it clear that the sale efficiency in Ramgarh, Dhanbad, Lohardaga, Palamu, Simdega, Garhwa, Jamtara, Pakur, Giridih, Saraikela-Kharsawan and West Singhbhum districts is unsatisfactory as compared to other districts. Due to
this, there was a decline of 36 percent in revenue. This is a matter of concern, as the target of earning revenue from liquor sales should be 100 per cent.
The Excise Commissioner has sought a report in this regard from the Assistant Commissioner of all the concerned districts within a week. He has said that if a satisfactory answer is not received, action will be taken considering laxity in revenue.