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Talking to mediapersons here today, Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, Kusumjit Sidhu said, “The Excise and Taxation Department had written to us, seeking permission to take out draw of lots as the new excise policy was announced by the state government before the model code of conduct came into force."
The draw of lots will be taken out on March 20, she said. Sidhu said, "We have asked the ECI for advice on Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal's announcement on the floor of the House during a reply to the Governor's address that the state government would give job to the kin of the farmers who committed suicide and Rs 15 lakh for construction of a wall of primary health centre in Verka."
"Also, the commission has banned the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) for distributing electricity meters and giving out-of-turn tubewell connections in Mansa and Bathinda, as the state electoral officer had received some 170 complaints. We have also written to Principal Secretary (Power) Suresh Kumar," she said.
Meanwhile, the Excise and Taxation Department heaved a sigh of relief with the ECI's clearance to hold draw of lots for more than 7,000 liquor vends across the state. With this, revenue worth Rs 2,000 crore from this sector will be added to the cash-starved state's treasury. Last year, the figure was Rs 1,766 crore. This year, the department's revenue increased by 15 per cent. Parampal Singh, Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner (DETC), Ludhiana, said, "Till today afternoon, we were getting only queries and no applicant was coming forward despite the fact that March 16 is the last day of filing applications. But now we can expect applications from tomorrow onwards."
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