NEW DELHI, December 30: The tussle between the Delhi government and UB group has reached a flashpoint with the former taking a tough position on Vijay Mallya's decision to withdraw all UB brands from the Delhi market.When contacted S N Sahay, commissioner of excise, Delhi, said that the Delhi government was convinced regarding breach of law on UB's part and may even cancel the latter's licence to market its products in the territory.
Sahay further said the company has already been issued a show cause notice and its fate to a great extent depends on the presentation it has to make on its defence in a hearing to be held before the collector, excise.
On UB's decision to withdraw its products from the region Sahay said that the government will not be affected in terms of excise collection and in any case is willing to bear such a price to preserve basic rules and principles.
When asked about the legal status of advertisement carried by foreign channels, which are being uplinked from other countries,
Sahay remarked that the government will go by who the ultimate beneficiary is. Legally no company marketing alcoholic bevereges is permitted to advertise its products on any medium reaching the people within its jurisdiction. Last year the excise department had cancelled UB's licence on account of similar offence.
Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
