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Akhilesh Yadav keeps poll promise, makes liquor cheaper by 25 %

During the 2012 poll campaign, 'shaam ki dawa sasti' (liquor will be cheap) promise was a refrain in Akhilesh's election speeches.

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Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday implemented an election promise almost four years after coming to power. The announcement of liquor to be made cheaper by as much as 25 per cent in UP is seen as a desperate attempt to tank up votes in the state assembly election next year.

During the 2012 poll campaign, 'shaam ki dawa sasti' (liquor will be cheap) promise was a refrain in Akhilesh's election speeches.

Opposition parties have slammed the move calling it a 'cheap trick' but the government says the move is aimed at increasing revenue from excise. The cut in rates would be effective from April 1.

What is even more surprising is that the Akhilesh government has declared the state's excise policy for two years at one go even though its tenure would end before the end of the 2016-17 financial year.

The move comes in sharp contrast to the ban, though a partial one, on liquor in neighbouring Bihar from April 1.

"The 25 per cent cut in excise duty will actually increase the state's earning as lower rates will fuel demand," a senior excise official said, justifying the move. The excise revenue target for 2016-17 is pegged at Rs 19,250 cr while for 2017-18, it is Rs 20,746 cr, he said.

"The government is resorting to cheap tricks but such decisions are only going to backfire," said senior Congress leader Siraj Mehdi. "This only shows the level the SP regime is willing to descend to because of their desperation," UP BJP spokesman Vijay Pathak said.

Apart from the political criticism, there are also allegations that the powerful syndicate which has been monopolizing the liquor trade in UP for the past several years, has once again used its green bags to force the government's hand.

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