Lok Sabha Elections 2019: EC allows Punjab to hold auction of liquor vends

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday allowed the Punjab excise and taxation department a hold auction of liquor vends scheduled for Wednesday.
On Monday, the EC raised questions over the auction and asked the state government to opt for an interim arrangement till the Lok Sabha polls get over in the state. The model code of conduct for the May 19 polls in Punjab came into force on March 10.
After a cabinet nod to the state excise policy for 2019-2020 on March 2, bids were invited from contractors on March 8, two days before the Lok Sabha polls were announced. The new excise policy will be effective from April 1.
Liquor contracts pegged at Rs 6,200 crore for the forthcoming fiscal hit the roadblock on Monday after the EC asked “why can’t state have an interim arrangement for the sale of liquor?” Replying to the query, the state excise and taxation department clarified that liquor auctions were a major source of revenue for the state and if delayed, will cause loss to the state exchequer.

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