Bhubaneswar: In an effort to ensure transparency in collection of ‘special COVID fees’ imposed on liquor, the Odisha Excise department has directed collectors of all districts to conduct re-verification of liquor stocks available in liquor outlets across the State.
In a letter to district collectors, Principal Secretary of Excise Department, SK Lohani has said though the stock verification has already been completed in most of the districts, the exercise should be carried out again by executive magistrate and revenue officers before allowing home delivery of liquor.
In order to ensure that the differential amount collected by the retail licensees is deposited in the State Exchequer, the excise field officials have been instructed to verify the stock in FL 'OFF' and FL 'ON' shops before allowing them home delivery, Lohani stated in the letter.
He further added, “While conducting this stock verification as on the date of lockdown, it will be prudent to take into account the last stock lifting details prior to lockdown from OSBC (available with Excise Officers), the daily average sales figures maintained by retailers as well as the details of home delivery executed during the current period."
“This process should be completed within a week and a report confirming the same may be submitted to Excise Department without fail,” he added.
According to the letter, the government has imposed 'special Covid fees' on all India Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), beer, wine and RTD (Ready to Drink) sold in the State. After the imposition of special Covid fees, the MRP of liquor has 2020-21 has increased substantially.
With the introduction of policy regarding home delivery by the F.L 'OFF and F.L 'ON' shop licensees, all these licensees have been allowed to sell the remaining stocks of 2019-20 available with them at the time of closure at the enhanced MRP of 2020-21.
The licensees have been instructed to deposit the differential amount (i.e. MRP of 2020/21- MRP of 2019/20) with OSBC Ltd. The OSBC Ltd. will deposit the amount with the government under proper head of account.
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(Edited by Suryakant Jena)
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