Assam consumed 3,62,000 cartons less liquor in the last financial year (2017-18) compared to 2016-17.
In 2017-18, 62,73,727 cartons of liquor were consumed in the state whereas in 2016-17, 66,36,434 cartons of liquor were consumed.
Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the excise department, Shailendra Pandey said, “The reduction has been approximately 5.46 percent over the last financial year in the consumption of liquor across the state.”
Approximately Rs 1,700 crores was generated by the excise department this year in spite of the decline in liquor consumption. It is considered as the highest revenue generated by the department ever.
State excise minister, Parimal Suklabaidya said, “It was possible because all illegal lobbies were eliminated from the department.”
In the first 6 months of 2017, 1,000 wine shops were shut down. Even today, several liquor outlets remain closed after the Supreme Court ordered closure of liquor shops near national highways. The excise department had set guidelines to reduce intoxicants and substance abuse in the last financial year as well.
In 2017-18, the excise department adopted an online system to make the whole system paper-free. “This has reduced corruption in the department compared to the previous government’s rule. From permit acquisition to other official work, everything takes place online which is transparent to all,” said Suklabaidya.
Kamrup (Metro) had generated Rs 197.8 crores in 2015-16. The figure went up to Rs 251.6 crores in 2016-17 and now it has reached a record high of Rs 318.1 crores.
But like Assam, even Guwahati has registered decrease in liquor consumption trends, said excise department sources.
