Bad pegs make Chandigarh hotels throw up Rs 1 crore

CHANDIGARH: The UT excise and taxation department have slapped a penalty of Rs 1.15 crore on hotels, restaurants, pubs and liquor vends for violating the excise policy in 18 months.
According to the 2019-20 UT excise policy, there is a penalty of Rs 1 lakh for first offence and Rs 2 lakh for the second time. Violation can lead to sealing of liquor vend and suspension of liquor licence of hotel or restaurant.
Additional excise and taxation commissioner Rakesh Popli said directions have already been issued to staff to conduct regular checks on outlets and violations will be penalized accordingly.
The department on August 8 slapped a penalty of Rs 5 lakh on hotel JW Marriott, Sector 35, for violation of the excise policy. The department had recommended lodging of FIR against hotel Turquoise, Industrial Area, Phase II, Chandigarh, as per excise act. Besides, the department had imposed a penalty of Rs 50,000 on Punjab Store, Sector 9.
The violations were selling liquor stock without hologram, serving liquor without licence and advertisement of liquor.
Similarly, the department on August 2 had suspended the liquor licence of Paara Club in Centra Mall, Industrial Area, Phase I, for keeping the premises and bar open after 1am. The department had also slapped a penalty of Rs 16 lakh (Rs 2 lakh each) on eight hotels, restaurants and liquor vends for violating the excise policy.
The common violations include selling liquor without hologram, not maintaining the record of the liquor stock, holding private parties without obtaining licence from the department and allowing private liquor on hotel premises.