Excise Dept witnesses surge in collections in June, July

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 4

The Excise Department generates a huge revenue for the state exchequer. But due to the lockdown, the sales of liquor in Punjab had declined drastically in April and May and the department suffered a financial setback. But once the lockdown was lifted, not just the losses for the lockdown period were made up but the department showed an increase of Rs 11.58 crore in just two months i.e. June and July.

SURPRISING FIGURES

• Collections from the sale of liquor came down in April and May to just Rs5.7 crore and Rs266.31 crore, respectively
• In the corresponding period last year, the sales were Rs366 crore and Rs394.88 crore, respectively
• In June and July this year, the department has earned Rs769.99 crore and Rs495.3 crore, respectively
• Whereas last year, the revenue generated for June and July was Rs371.44 crore and Rs393.4 crore

As per the data available, the collections from the sale of liquor came down in April and May to just Rs 5.7 crore and Rs 266.31 crore, respectively, while for same months in 2019, the sales were Rs 366 crore and Rs 394.88 crore, respectively. The department had to bear losses of Rs 488.87 crore in April and May in comparison to 2019.

There was an impressive comeback in June and July when the lockdown was lifted, as the department earned Rs 769.99 crore and Rs 495.3 crore, respectively, while the revenue generated for June and July 2019 was Rs 371.44 crore and Rs 393.4 crore.

A top official of the department said a major reason for the sudden increase in sale was the lifting of lockdown restrictions.

"Apart from that, the department had taken effective measures, which led to plugging leakages from distilleries. Not just this, there was an effective and coordinated action against the bootleggers which bore fruits," added the official.

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