Absence of liquor irks DSOI members

CHANDIGARH: Around 3,000 members of Sector-36 based Defence Services Officers Institute (DSOI) have been deprived of liquor for last few days because UT administration has restrained them from serving liquor in absence of a valid liquor licence. The absence of liquor at the institute is something unusual and has irked some of its members. For last Saturday's regular function in the institute, authorities had to pay special fee to the UT excise department to allow liquor.
The restraint orders were passed by UT excise department because the institute has not obtained a valid licence from them.While the institute authorities are of the view that being a defence establishment, they are privileged to avail liquor facility in their premises. Talking to TOI on Tuesday, assistant excise and taxation commissioner (AETC) UT, Naresh Dubey made it clear that there is no point of exempting the institute from licence.
"However, we are examining on the kind of licence or permit that needs to be given to DSOI to serve liquor," Dubey added.
Talking on the issue, former chairman of DSOI Lt Col (Retd) J S Panag said, former governor and UT administrator, Lt Gen J F R Jacob had permitted us to serve liquor from CSD canteens. Prior to that, the liquor in the institute was served on civil rates. "Considering all aspects, the executive body of the institute should solve the matter expeditiously," Panag added.
Another Mohali-based Lt Col (Retd) S S Sohi said such facilities come under the welfare measures of defence community and needs to be addressed at the earliest.
All efforts to contact vice-chairman of the institute, Brigadier (Retd) M S Dullat proved futile, as he did not respond. However, when TOI contacted another office bearer of the executive body, Brigadier (Retd) Khuswant Singh, a visibly upset brigadier said, "There are still more important issues than liquor problem of DSOI, like my bathroom is blocked, why don't you write on it?" However, when reminded about his attitude and asked for his version on the liquor problem of the institute, he said, "There is no issue, UT administration is eating the VAT paid by us and we do not know why they are acting in such bureaucratic manner."