Excise Minister Parimal Suklabaidya claimed that the revenue from liquor has surged fivefold in just six years during...
Digital Desk: The Assam government has faced backlash for granting new licences to about 20 new Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) outlets in the state.
The action has been described as a "failure of administration" by the opposition Congress.
According to Assam Excise Minister Parimal Suklabaidya, the plan to create more liquor stores is to ensure that consumers drink high-quality drinks.
He further stated that the decision to create new liquor stores will help to fight the selling of liquor smuggled in from neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh.
In response to Minister Suklabaidya's statement, Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia said, "The minister himself admits the state police and administration's failure to curb smuggling of liquor from Arunachal Pradesh, as well as their inability to stop the brewing and sale of illicit alcohol in Assam."
"The Assam government's decision to allow more wine shops will damage our young generations and transform rural areas into hotspots of anti-social behaviour," an activist said.
Revenue from the sale of liquor increased from roughly Rs 400 crore per year in 2016, when the first BJP-led administration took office, to nearly Rs 3,000 crore in the most recent fiscal year, according to government estimates.
The rise in revenue was also linked to a 25% to 65% increase in liquor tax, depending on the label.
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