Government of Jammu and Kashmir released Excise Policy for year 2022-23 where MRP of liquor and other aspects have been discussed.
The successful bidder will be required to deposit an amount equal to 50% of total bid amount under major head 0039 through GRAS/e-collect portal Within five Bank working days from the date Of finalization of bid for a vend and 100% of bid value within ten Bank working days of finalization of bid.
If the successful bidder fails to comply with the aforesaid condition of payment of bid money in the prescribed period, the earnest money shall stand forfeited.
In such a case, the liability of the highest bidder will not be limited only to the extent of earnest money tendered by him in the auction process for a particular location, but any other allotment in which he is a stake holder shall also be cancelled and the respective deposits made in the form of earnest money or security for such other bids also shall be forfeited and he will not be allowed to participate as a stake holder in any of future allotments In such cases the location shall be allotted to the next highest bidder, willing to match the bid money quoted by Ill bidder.
Fixation of MRP of liquor in J&K
The Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of all types of Liquor including JK Special whisky and Beer shall continue to be notified by the Excise Commissioner for the year 2022-23 on the recommendations of the Price fixation Committee. MRP Shall be calculated as per the table A&B given below under para 4.2 . An affidavit shall be submitted by the manufacturer / importer / brand owner declaring the EDP/ EBP prevailing in the adjoining states/ UT’s (Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh). In case the brands are not sold in these adjoining states, the manufacturer/ importer / brand owner shall declare the EDP /EBP in the state/UT where brands are sold/ exported. The EDP /EBP higher than the adjoining states/UT shall not be accepted. No separate administrative/handling/freight cost shall be considered for fixation of MRP. The minimum selling price (MSP) for all types of liquor for on premises consumption shall be 25% above the MRP fixed for the JKEL-2 License.
Micro-Brewery (JKEL-70)
To encourage transition from high to low alcohol content beverages, the department shall issue Micro-brewery Licenses at the locations permitted by the Excise Commissioner. The procedure for grant of license shall be notified by the Excise Commissioner separately.
Additional Chief Secretary, Finance, Atal Dulloo, reiterated that the new excise policy would ensure that only single vend is secured by a bidder whose eligibility has been capped to the domiciles of Jammu and Kashmir only.
ACS, while announcing the ‘Excise Policy 2022-23′ here at Excise Taxation Complex, maintained that the policy would bring greater social consciousness and awareness about harmful effects of liquor consumption and drug abuse. He further said that it would also put an effective check on the menace of bootlegging and smuggling of all narcotic drugs in J&K from neighboring states and UTs.
It was informed that besides making quality liquor available to consumers this policy would encourage transition from high to low alcoholic content beverages to safeguard the health of consumers.
Regarding changes to ensure that no evasion of rules occurs and the vends go under auction in a transparent manner, it was apprised that the e-auction portal would be governed by J&K bank as a 3rd party nodal agency.
The policy has added features of encouraging local production by exempting export duty on all kinds of liquor for the policy year 2022-23. It would also fulfill the need of providing quality drink to consumers in unserved/underserved areas as some new vends have been proposed in the policy.
The department has made certain amendments in the previous policy by increasing Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 7 lakh and Minimum Guaranteed Revenue (MGR) by 10 per cent.
Moreover, the bidder should be having good character without being convicted for any non-bailable offense. It has also been added that the bidder should have immovable property equivalent to 100% of bid amount in the UT and should not be defaulter of taxes department under different acts governing J&K.
The policy has also framed timelines under which different activities of bidding would be carried out and a bidder has to deposit the bid amount in a period of 10 working days. The successful bidder would also be given the license after receiving clearance from the concerned District Magistrate in a period of 15 days only.
On the occasion, Commissioner Excise, K S Chib; Commissioner, Sales Tax, Showkat Aijaz Bhat; Director General Codes, SL Pandita and other officers and officials of the twin departments were present.
Meanwhile, Atal Dulloo in presence of Commissioner, State Taxes, Showkat Aijaz Bhat, released GST Audit Manual during a book release function held at Excise and Taxation Complex, Panamachowk, Jammu.
ACS emphasized that the Goods and Service Tax is a trust base regime wherein the taxpayers are required to self assess their tax liabilities and file the return. To ensure whether the taxpayer has made correct declaration regarding his liability the concept of audit plays a pivotal role in determining the same, he added.
The process of audit involves examination of records, returns and other documents required to be maintained by the registered person.
While appreciating this initiative of the State Taxes Department, Dulloo highlighted that the manual would act as a comprehensive guide to conduct audit under Goods and Services Tax Act and will also help in equipping the officers with requisite skills in audit and scrutiny.
To read full policy, click here