category Regional, chandigarh, , tags Regional, chandigarh, , DW BUREAU Chandigarh The Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday approved the Excise Policy for the year 2023-24. A decision to this effect was taken by the Cabinet under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann here at his office in Punjab Civil Secretariat- I. Disclosing this here today, spokesperson of the Chief Minister s Office said that in order to maintain stability of liquor trade and to continue the reforms which were initiated last year, the Retail sale license L-2 L-14A are being offered for renewal to the existing retail licensees. The policy aims to collect Rs. 9754 crore during the year 2023-24, giving an increase of Rs.1004 Crore. As per the policy the VAT charged on liquor sold by Beer Bar, Hard Bar. Clubs and Microbreweries have been reduced to 13 plus 10 surcharge. Transfer of group shall be allowed once during the excise year on payment of Rs 10 lakh subject to conditions laid down. The fee of annual L-50 permit has been reduced from Rs 2,500 - to Rs 2,000 and for life time L-50 permit from Rs 20,000 - to Rs 10,000 - The condition that L-50 life time will be issued to a person who has been issued annual L-50 permits for three years continuously has been done away with. In a major relief to the people of the state, Cabinet also approved Punjab State Minor Mineral Policy-2023 to provide sand and gravel at affordable rates to the people of state. The objective of this policy is to ensure that mining of sand and gravel is undertaken across the state in a transparent and legal manner so that sufficient quantities of sand and gravel is available on demand. As per policy, Mining Sites have been divided into two categories namely Commercial Mining Sites (CMS) and Public Mining Sites (PMS). Commercial Sites shall be grouped into distinct Clusters and shall be auctioned through e-tender process whereas, the Public Mining Sites shall be operated by the department manually for the interest of the general public. Both sand and gravel shall be sold at PMS and CMS at pit head price of 5.50 per cubic feet. No royalty shall be imposed on excavation of ordinary clay and ordinary earth which is to be used by farmers for activities other than commercial infrastructure projects. Only manual excavation of ordinary earth shall only be permitted for non-commercial projects in the area up to two acres or depth up to three feet. This policy will bring down the price of sand and gravel to give relief to end consumers. In order to bring greater efficiency into their functioning, the Cabinet also gave nod to the proposal for restructuring of the State Water Resources and Transport Department in the larger public interest. During a review of the State Water Resources department, it was found that there is a need to increase some important posts and abolish those which have become redundant with the passage of time. Based on this, 1278 new posts have been created, 708 different cadre posts have been declared Dying Cadre and 957 posts of Beldars have also been created. Pertinently, the first restructuring of the department was done in the year 2020. The restructuring plan would not only utilize the human resources optimally but will also save Rs. 74.74 crore per annum. The Cabinet also gave its approval for restructuring of the posts of State Transport Commissioner, Punjab-a wing under the Transport Department. With the restructuring of STC, the number of posts will increase due to which citizens can get their work done at district headquarters for transport vehicles. Licensing and Vehicle RC work will also be done easily which would be major relief for the state residents. The Cabinet also accorded approval for releasing funds worth Rs 25 crore to Guru Ravidass Bani Adhayayn Centre Committee, Dera Sachkhand Ballan under Punjab Nirman program to address the development needs at grassroot level. The funds will be released by the District Level Committee constituted under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner, as per demand, within a month. The Cabinet also gave green signal for sending the cases of two prisoners for seeking Premature Release of life convicts confined in the jails of state. After the nod of Cabinet under Article 163 of the Constitution of India, these special remission premature release cases will be submitted to the Punjab Governor under Article 161 of the Indian constitution. (editor dailyworld.in)