Licensed wine shop dealers in Hyderabad are demanding that the State Government withdraw a circular issued by the State office of Commissioner, Prohibition, and Excise, which has set March 20 as the deadline for paying the ninth installment of payment for the license fee. The wine dealers are objecting to the imposition of a three lakh rupees penalty if they fail to pay the installment amount before the deadline.
According to the excise policy, licensees are permitted to pay only penal interest on the installment if they have not paid it within the stipulated time. The additional three lakh rupees penalty is seen as a burden on the wine dealers and is against the excise policy.
The wine dealers have already given a bank guarantee, and there is no need to impose a hefty penalty against the law. The Commissionerate has also threatened to close down wine shops on March 21 if they do not pay the installment. However, there is no provision or authority given to the excise wing to issue such a stringent warning to liquor shops that are running in accordance with the existing excise policy.
The wine dealers are requesting that the State Government reconsider this circular and withdraw the penalty, which they argue is unjustified and goes against the excise policy. They hope that a resolution can be reached that is fair to all parties involved.
