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The Uttarakhand cabinet on Monday approved the new Excise Policy 2025, according to a release.
A statement from the release said that the state's new Excise Policy 2025 has decided to close liquor licenses near religious places, considering their importance. Furthermore, keeping public sensitivities paramount, more control will be exercised over the sale of liquor. Sub-shops and the metro liquor sales system have been abolished. In the new Excise Policy, if a shop charges more than MRP, the license can be canceled. MRP will also apply to departmental stores, which will protect consumers' interests. Excise revenue has increased significantly in the state in the last two years. A revenue target of Rs 5,060 crore has been set for the financial year 2025-26. In the financial year 2023-24, a revenue of Rs 4,038.69 crore was earned against the target of Rs 4,000 crore. In the financial year 2024-25, about Rs 4,000 crore has been received so far against the target of Rs 4,439 crore. The CAG report on the Excise policy was tabled in the Delhi assembly on the second day of the assembly session by the newly elected CM Rekha Gupta. The CAG reports highlight the alleged irregularities in the Policy introduced during the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. As per the CAG report tabled, the Delhi excise policy 2021-22 was implemented to simplify the liquor trade, bring transparency, check monopolies, generate optimum revenue, and ensure a better consumer experience. However, the objectives of the policy change were not achieved. The report is one of the 14 pending CAG reports on the previous Aam Aami Party government's performance. According to the report tabled today, the audit observed several discrepancies in the way the Excise Department monitored and regulated the supply of liquor in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. (ANI)
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