No liquor licence for people with shady past

Lucknow: People with criminal background, defaulters, anti-social elements, govt servants and qualified professionals will not be able to participate in the upcoming lottery draw of liquor shops. Apart from a character certificate verified by the police, the excise department will seek a written undertaking from shortlisted people describing their credentials.While the practice has been followed while allocating liquor shops annually, those who would enter the business for the first time have been advised to go through the format of the affidavit that has to be submitted upon getting selected through the online lottery system. Excise commissioner Adarsh Singh said that the format along with other important details have been provided on the portal created to apply for the liquor shops. "An interested individual should visit the e-lottery website to understand what all documents and papers would be required to run the shop once she/he is selected through the draw," said Singh.Officials added that applicants should also visit the website of the district administration concerned to understand how many shops are available in their localities and proceed to the link of the authorised website. "Cyber criminals are also luring people through phishing scams and fake websites," he said.From 30,738 licensed shops that catered to various segments of liquor and cannabis patrons, onwards Apr 1 the state would have 27,308 retail vends. The Excise department has come out with a new policy which aims to provide for an increased segment of tipplers from the same shop. Introducing composite licences for the first time, the department is merging IMFL and beer shops into one from the 2025-26 financial year.The department has floated 16,052 country liquor, 9,362 composite, 1,459 bhang (cannabis) and 435 model shops across the state that would be allocated through the lottery draw in the next financial year. Presently 16,041 country liquor, 6,563 IMFL, 5,970 beer and 1,729 bhang shops are operational while the number of model shops (435) will be the same.The department will not allow professionals such as doctors, chartered accounts, advocates, govt servants among others to participate in the lottery as has been the norm in the past. "Professionals are discouraged from participating in the lottery due to multiple reasons. The councils and boards which govern them prohibit them from such practices. There is also a likelihood of conflict of interest for professionals and govt servants," said an officer elaborating on the reason.The ones who get the licence would have to take an oath that the staff deputed to run the retail vends do not have a criminal background or are suffering from any kind of contagious disease. The last date to apply for the shops has been fixed as Feb 27, while the first draw would take place on Mar 6.