New liquor policy is state will monopolize the market: Small traders

Ludhiana, Apr 9 (KNN) The new liquor policy has been imposed in Punjab for the interest of liquor kings, said the small liquor traders, who are agitated over the new policy.

The policy is set to put the existing 95 wholesale traders (L1 licence holders) in lurch as it restricts the number of suppliers (L1-A licence holders) to three for lifting the Indian made foreign liquor (IMFL) and two for beer from manufacturers.

One of the Liquor traders Janak Raj Johar, who closed his shop -J.P. Enterprises- two years back said, “I had smelled that the situation is going to change in this business soon, so I closed my trading business of liquor.”

He alleged that this new liquor policy will affect the small traders in Punjab as this policy only favours the big shots.

“The Punjab Government does not listen to the traders. People are less interested in liquor business now,” said the ex-trader.

This policy will only bring monopoly in the state liquor market, he added.

Another liquor trader said that there are possibilities that only 3 to 4 big brands in the liquor business would bag these contracts and monopolise the market, the rest will leave this business. (KNN Bureau)