Petition challenging new excise policy dismissed, heres what High Court ruled
The Chhattisgarh High Court has dismissed a petition challenging the state's excise policy. The division bench ruled that the state government has full authority to formulate its own excise policy, which cannot be contested.
Previously, the operation and distribution of liquor stores in the state were granted to 10 companies. However, the state government revised its excise policy, taking control of the operations itself. Consequently, the government refunded the amounts deposited by these companies and revoked their licenses. One of the companies, North East Feed and Agro Exports Private Limited, filed a petition in the High Court challenging this decision.
The case was heard by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice BD Guru. After reviewing the response from the Advocate General representing the state, the court upheld the new excise policy, dismissing the company's petition, stating that the government has complete authority to formulate its excise policies.
Previously, foreign liquor purchases were made through licensed intermediaries. With this system now abolished, the government has assigned the responsibility of purchasing foreign liquor to the Chhattisgarh Beverages Corporation. Additionally, the FL-10 AB license, which facilitated wholesale sales and storage of foreign liquor, has been discontinued, allowing for direct wholesale procurement of foreign liquor.