CONRAD DIAS
Ranchi, April 26: The implementation of the new excise policy in Jharkhand is just around the corner as it will be implemented from May 1. Due to this, the liquor shops in Ranchi are already short of the most demanded beverage, beer.
Apart from this, even drinks such as vodka, whiskey and rum are also out of stock in many shops but beer is the most preferred alcoholic beverage during summers.
Jharkhand Retail Liquor Vendor Association (JRLVA) has explained that the reasons behind the shortage of liquor stock from the shops are because of the policies of the government. All the retailers and wholesalers have been given an extension till April 30.
If the stocks are left in the shop by April 30, then they will have to be returned and cannot be sold to the customers. The retail shopkeepers will hand over the remaining stocks to the retail shops only, but the duty tax and sales tax paid earlier will not be refunded to them.
Similarly, the wholesalers will take the stocks of the wholesalers while the cost of the goods will be paid by the shopkeeper, but the duty tax and sales tax paid earlier will be paid by Jharkhand State Beverages Corporation Ltd. (JSBCL).
Due to these reasons, the shopkeepers have stopped taking the stocks in April, due to which there has been a shortage of liquor in the city.
Most liquor shops in the city have very limited stock of beer in the shop or are selling a particular brand to clear up the stock. Beer is the most demanded alcoholic beverage during summers comprising 60% of sales during summers.
Uttam Paul, a resident of Hesag informed that the liquor shops in his locality have been out of stock for the last few weeks and have a very limited supply of beer.
“I went to buy beer on Sunday and was informed by the shop owner that they only have Copter 7 can beer and there was no stock for bottled beer in the shop. This has been the case for quite some time now,” he said.
A similar situation is being faced by beer lovers all across the city as many shops in the city have empty freezers.
Another primary reason for the lack of supply is that the liquor manufacturing companies have stopped the supply of goods to the wholesalers due to the dues by the wholesalers.
As the new liquor policy is to be implemented, the liquor manufacturing companies and wholesalers are not taking interest in the supply and sale.
