In Uttarakhand Devbhoomi’s Kumaon division 55 new liquor shops to open from April 1, will generate profit worth Rs. 65 crores of rupees
The Himalayan state known for its ancient spiritual destinations and tourism and a land of abode of Gods is all set to open 55 new liquor shops in Uttarakhand’s Kumaon division.
The excise department of Uttarakhand has been directed to collect maximum revenue through liquor sales as the fiscal deficit of the state has already mounted phenomenally to Rs. 80 thousand crores with the maximum budget being spent to pay the instalments to foreign banks from whom the loan has been taken.
There had been and presently too tremendous protests against the new initiative of the state government to open 55 liquor outlets in Kumaon division instead of opening people centric health care centres, equipping them with latest medical machines or opening the anti addiction camps/ avenues.
The assembly elections are also due in 2027 and everyone knows that various political parties allegedly supply liquor to the electorates to win their sides which is unfortunately the baddest party of our democracy.
Such outlets of liquor at the district decentralised level will further added to thewies of the people and increase the number of liquor addicts who’d already spoiled thousands of families in Uttarakhand including the addicts suffering from lever related serious ailments.
According to the news reports out of these fifty five liquor outlets the profit expected is Rs. 65 crores.
The contract of the liquor shops will be awarded through the lottery system and to those who would have the parking facilities.
According to sources local buzz has begun regarding the locations of the new shops and manipulations commenced to seek favours to bag the liquor contracts.
The largest number of new shops, 23, will be opened in Udham Singh Nagar district. Fourteen will open in the border district of Pithoragarh, eight in Nainital, and four in Champawat.
The department has set a revenue target of approximately 60-65 crore rupees from the new shops.
Speaking to the mediapersons
KK Kandpal, Joint Commissioner of the Excise Department disclosed that 55 new liquor shops, both domestic and foreign, are being opened in Kumaon. These shops will begin operating on April 1st. All excise regulations will be followed when opening the shops.
While in Udham Singh Nagar 24 liquor shops will be opened, in Nainital district eight shops and in Pithoragarh 14 liquor shops will come up. In the chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s constituency Champawat special care seems to have been taken as only four shops will be opened there fearing reprisals from the public.
The Nainital district known for its tourism potential the eight IMFL liquor shops will be opened at Kaladhoongi Marg at Bajun, on Ramnagar Kashipur Marg, Panchayat Ghar Ganna Not Marg, at Dhukuli, Mohan and Ratighat.
The domestic liquor shops to be opened are at : Golapaar, Chorgaliya Road, Bajun Kaladhoongi and at Maaldhan Road. There have been protests at Ratighat and several other locations against the opening of the liquor shops. In Uttarakhand a proverb is usually used Surya Asth aur Uttarakhand mast.Instead of proving to be a peoples’ health caring state it seems that the ruling political dispensation is more worried to generate income from Liquor sales least worried about spoiling families. It should have rather gone for alternative income generation sources than opening liquor shops say Dhirendra Pratap, senior Vice President of Uttarakhand Congress committee and former ministerial rank holder.
