the goan I network
PANAJI
The Excise department has collected Rs 14.5 lakh on the auction of cashew crops this year, so far, according to reliable sources. This collection is on account of first two rounds of auctions, which were conducted in January and February.
Last year, after the first two rounds of auction, the Excise department had collected Rs 15.11 lakh.
Every year, the Excise department conducts zone wise auctions of cashew crop. Typically, feni distillation units buy cashew crops through such auctions and pay excise duty at this stage itself.
The feni distillation process begins in February every year and goes on till April. The distillation process has already started this year in places like Sattari. Sources further informed that of 1,671 cashew zones in the State, auction has already been conducted in 278.
More auctions of cashew crops have been planned in February and March. An auction will happen at Laxmibai Memorial Hall, Valpoi for zones in Sattari on February 28. This will be followed by an auction at Swami Vivekanand Society Hall in Junta House, Panaji for zones in Bardez and Pernem on March 7.
On March 8, in the same hall at Junta House, auction will take place for zones in Tiswadi and Bicholim. On March 14, at Ravindra Bhavan in Margao, auction will take place for zones in Mormugao, Quepem and Ponda. And, on March 15, at the same place, auction will take place for zones in Salcete, Canacona and Sanguem.
