Shimla/Dharamshala, April 13: In a move that has sparked outrage across Himachal Pradesh, the Sukhu-led state government has brazenly directed the Himachal Forest Corporation (HFC) to operate retail liquor vends in rural areas of Kangra district — a blatant violation of the Corporation’s legal mandate.
As per the Memorandum of Articles, the Forest Corporation is strictly confined to forestry-related activities such as afforestation, plantations, and regulated forest produce handling.
However, the recent government notification, issued under the authority of the Commissioner of State Taxes and Excise, has shockingly handed over the operation of unsold liquor vends for the financial year 2025-26 to HFC.
"This is a specimen of the Sukhu government’s wild raj," slammed critics, accusing the state of recklessly pushing non-forestry commercial activities onto the forest department.
"Without applying its mind, the government is dragging a corporation meant for environmental stewardship into the liquor trade."
The timeline of events reveals the extent of bureaucratic complicity:
06-04-2025: Government decision issued.
07-04-2025: Principal Secretary (ST&E) chaired a meeting to decide on the fate of unsold liquor vends.
Following the auction-cum-tender process, the Excise Commissioner was directed to allocate the leftover vends — shockingly, not to private bidders or authorised vendors, but to the Forest Corporation.
Legal experts warn that this move could invite judicial scrutiny, as it directly contravenes the Forest Corporation’s founding principles and the broader mandate of environmental governance.
Concerned Citizens as well experts are furious, calling it an "assault" on their sentiments.
"Instead of promoting sustainable rural development, the government is flooding our villages with liquor shops under the guise of revenue generation, right inside forests" said one resident.
The incident raises uncomfortable questions: Is the government prioritising excise revenue over its constitutional duty towards forest conservation and rural welfare?
Has the desperate bid to meet liquor sale targets crossed all ethical lines?
Either way, the public sentiment is clear — this is a policy blunder of reckless proportions.
#ForestNotForLiquor #SukhuGovtExposed #WildRajInHP #KangraLiquorScandal #SaveOurForests #GovernanceGoneWrong #HimachalNews #ForestCorporationMisuse
