Liquor stores in Odisha defy govt order, still levy 50% Covid fee on MRP

BHUBANESWAR: Tension mounted at a number of liquor counters here on Friday as they refused to comply with the state government’s order of levying 15% Special Covid fee on booze. The excise department on Thursday had announced to slash the ‘special Covid fee’ on the MRP of liquor from the existing 50% to 15%.
“I was forced to pay 50% special fee as most liquor stores refused to accept the reduced 15% fee on the MRP. When I raised an objection, they shouted at me,” said a buyer requesting anonymity.
“I am ready to pay 50% special Covid fee. But will that money go to the government exchequer or the liquor vendor as the excise department already slashed the fee to 15%. It seems to be a big scam,” he asked.
Police said they immediately dispersed the angry mob immediately after receiving complaints of gathering outside liquor stores. “We immediately sent our patrolling vans to disperse the mob from near the liquor stores,” additional commissioner of police Anup Kumar Sahoo said.
The Excise department said they would take stock of the situation, relating to alleged violation of the Thursday’s order. “I have asked the excise commissioner to look into the matter,” excise department secretary Sushil Kumar Lohani told TOI. Excise commissioner Anjan Kumar Manik did not respond to phone calls.
Liquor stores passed the buck to the excise department. “We already purchased huge quantities of liquor by depositing the 50% special Covid fee a few days ago. The government slashed the special fee to 15% from Friday. Who will compensate for our loss as we have not been able to sell the old stocks,” another liquor vendor said. Buyers said the liquor vendors had no qualms in levying the 50% special Covid fee when they had purchased bulk products without paying the extra fee when the government announced the increased rate.
While introducing online/home delivery of liquor on May 25, the state government had levied the special Covid fee and increased the prices of all types of foreign liquor and beer by 50% of the MRPs of 2019-20.
Inspired By