Muktsar, February 28: Even though the current financial year will end after a month, the liquor vends in rural areas have already slashed the prices to clear the present stock. Reason: The inter-state liquor smuggling is hitting their business hard.When asked, a liquor contractor said, “The mafia involved in liquor smuggling has affected our business and now we have to clear the stock of the present financial year.
Thus we have no other option except to sell it at a discounted price.”An employee at a liquor vend in Gidderbaha subdivision said, “We have slashed the prices from Sunday. If it did not work in our favour, we will have to slash the prices more as the financial year is ending and our sale is almost nil.
”Meanwhile, a visit to various parts of the district revealed that some liquor vends had even displayed discounted price lists, which is, however, in violation of the rules.
As per the price list displayed outside a vend at Gurusar village, a full bottle of country liquor brands “Santra” and “Khasa” was available at Rs 170, which was being sold for Rs 250 a few days ago.
Similarly, the half bottle and quarter bottle were now available at Rs 90 and 50, respectively. They were earlier being sold at Rs 130 and Rs 70, respectively.
Not only this, even in some neighbouring towns, the liquor vends are offering two bottles free on the purchase of 10 bottles of any brand of Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL).
A liquor contractor said the prices would be slashed further in a few days.Despite repeated efforts, Vijay Kumar, Excise Inspector, could not be contacted for his comments.
Source Tribune India
