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Guwahati, Nov 3 (IANS): Amid the controversy over the Assam government giving permission to open new liquor shops across the state, Revenue Minister Parimal Suklabaidya said that within six years of the BJP rule here, the revenue from liquor increased fivefold.
He said that in the year 2016, the revenue from liquor VAT was about Rs 600 crore. In March this year, including VAT, that revenue was close to Rs 3,000 crore.
The ruling BJP’s decision to rule has drawn many sections of society including the Leader of the Opposition (LOP) in the Assam Assembly, Debabrata Saikia, who criticized the government over the issue.
In many parts of Assam, there are no liquor shops within 10-20 kilometers, according to official records. Therefore, the illegal production of alcohol in the country is increasing in the region. Also, domestically produced liquor is being imported from Assam in Arunachal Pradesh through illegal means which is actually hurting the revenue of the state government, said minister Suklabaidya.
To avoid this loss, the state government has given wide permission to open new liquor stores.
Saikia said: “The government has given licenses to open liquor shops in rural areas to generate revenue without considering public health. Allowing liquor shops to open in rural areas is a destructive step.”
He alleged in the ruling that he used the proceeds for advertising purposes.
The Congress leader said that the statement of the minister about the places where alcohol is sold is stupid, his argument that he should drink foreign alcohol instead of sugar alcohol is very deplorable.
However, Suklabaidya dismissed the charges and claimed that the revenue was used for the benefit of the people.
He also said that the government is not telling anyone to drink alcohol.
“As a minister, I will never encourage anyone to drink alcohol, but those who are addicted to alcohol should drink in limited quantities otherwise it will have a negative effect on their health,” he said.
“There is no law in the country that prohibits drinking, so those who are used to drinking, should drink from liquor stores,” Suklabaydya added.
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