The newly constituted Cabinet in its first meeting held here today under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, passed a resolution to further intensify their efforts to fulfill the aspirations of the people of Punjab.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab Government said that the Cabinet expressed gratitude towards the people of state who had given historic mandate in favour of the Shiromani Akali Dal - Bhartiya Janata Party (SAD-BJP) alliance during recently concluded assembly elections.
The Council of Ministers also approved to convene the maiden session of the 14th Punjab Vidhan Sabha from March 19, 2012-. The tentative schedule of the Budget session from March 19 to 4 April, 2012 would include oath by MLAs, election of Speaker/Deputy Speaker, Governor’s Address, Obituary References, discussion on Governor’s Address. The supplementary grants for the year 2011-12 and vote of account for the year 2012-13 of the State Government would be presented on 28th March, 2012.
The Cabinet also approved the excise policy for the year 2012-13 with an increase of Rs.570 crores over last year. The excise revenues will touch Rs.3638.40 crores at the end of March, 2013 against the expected excise collections of Rs.3068.40 crores for the year 2011-12.
The Cabinet has also decided to continue with the existing system of allotment of liquor vends through draw of lots. He said that, as in the previous years, the draw of lots for allotment of vends will be conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner in the presence of applicants, public and the Deputy Commissioners of the Districts. He further said that an amount of Rs.105 crores out of the total excise collections will be treated as Dedicated Fund for Education and Sports Departments.
The Government has decided to take stringent measures against bootleggers and therefore, has proposed stringent penalties against them. The system of affixing of intaglio printed security labels on liquor bottles during the current year, has proved very useful and hence it has been decided to continue with this system.
The license fee on PML and IMFL has been increased by Rs.17/- per bottle. The quota for the current year has been increased approx by 5.5% over the last year. Keeping in view the licensees’ demand, the ratio of open/fixed quota of PML has been fixed 60:40.
To wean away people from hard drinks and to promote lighter drinks, maximum retail sale price of light and strong beer has also been fixed at Rs.70/- and Rs.75/- per bottle.
He further said that under the new policy, the minimum retail price (MRP) of PML has been increased by Rs.10/- per bottle and of IMFL by Rs.20/- per bottle.
He told that the process of renewal of licenses for Beer Bars, Hard Bars and Club Licenses etc. has been simplified. Now, instead of renewal of licenses annually, the licenses will be renewed after every three years. However, the renewal fee will be taken on annual basis.