Liquor to cost more in Haryana

Pradeep Sharma

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 2

With VAT, excise and licence fee up, there will be a rise in liquor rates in Haryana beginning April. The Excise Policy for 2016-17 was approved by the Haryana Cabinet today. “The liquor prices are expected to increase by up to 20 per cent,” sources in liquor trade said.

While VAT on liquor has gone up from 8 per cent to 1per cent, the excise duty on country liquor has been increased from Rs 12 per proof litre to Rs 18 per proof litre and that on the IMFL from Rs 30 per proof litre to Rs 45 per proof litre. The licence fee for L-13 (country liquor) has been increased from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh and for L-1(IMFL) from Rs 40 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.

“The minimum retail price (MRP) of popular IMFL and beer brands has been rationalised as per the market trend,” Roshan Lal, Additional Chief Secretary, Excise and Taxation, said.

The total number of retail outlets of country liquor (CL) and India-made foreign liquor (IMFL) in the state will remain unchanged at 3,500. Sub-vends will be allowed in gram panchayats with a population of less than 1,000 only, with their prior consent. The maximum basic quota for the CL has been increased from 900 lakh proof litre to 950 lakh proof litre and for the IMFL from 500 lakh proof litre to 550 lakh proof litre.

While the MRP of mild beer has been increased from Rs 55 to Rs 60, in case of strong brand it would go up from Rs 60 to Rs 70.