A decision to this effect was taken by the contractors at a meeting held at Sector 35 liquor vend, following the series of raids conducted by the UT Excise and Taxation Department.

The meeting was attended by representatives of M/s Naresh Kumar and Company, Bhupinder Singh and Co., Ashoka Associates, UT Wine Traders, S.K. Wing Traders and Universal Wine Traders. They criticised the Administration for conducting raids and giving a bad name to a trade which was earning maximum revenue for the state.

The raids on liquor vends were carried out on a complaint of the United Breweries in which it was alleged that spurious Bagpiper whiskey was being sold in the markets of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. Although the exact quantity of spurious stocks of the whiskey sold is still not known, it was alleged in the complaint that 49 out of 55 retail shops were selling spurious liquor.

Over 17 local vends have been listed in the complaint that are "duplicating, stocking and selling" Bagpiper whiskey. The duplicate brands, stated to be dangerous for human consumption, is being sold at "far cheaper" rates than its original sale price.

A local liquor contractor, when contacted, said: "We have unanimously agreed not to sell or purchase the products of Hebertson Industries, particularly Bagpiper whiskey, from today onwards after the old stock finished."