Chandigarh, Sept 17: Chandigarh’s excise and taxation department has sealed 18 liquor vends for defaulting on payments, with a dozen still closed even after partial clearance of dues.
Officials said the action was taken on Monday evening after repeated reminders to the contractors. By Tuesday, six outlets had cleared their pending amounts and were allowed to resume business. However, 12 vends remain sealed as their operators have yet to settle outstanding liabilities.
According to the department, all 12 defaulting contracts are owned by the same group, which has a record of delayed or irregular payments. “This is not the first time we have encountered such issues with this company. The problem has persisted since the beginning of the financial year,” one senior official mentioned.
The situation has gained urgency after the rollout of the new excise policy, which aims to tighten revenue collection and ensure greater accountability. Officials noted that the administration cannot afford repeated disruptions in payments, given the revenue significance of liquor sales.
“The department is considering strict measures, including the possibility of blacklisting certain firms that consistently fail to comply,” another official said. He added that decisive steps would be taken to protect government revenue and ensure fairness among license holders.
While the sealed vends have created disruption for customers and retailers, officials stressed that the enforcement drive was necessary to maintain compliance. The administration, they said, would continue to monitor payment records closely and act promptly against violators.
