The recent hike in excise duty on beer will net the cash-strapped Goa government an additional Rs 50 crore on an annual basis. Goa’s liquor , which sells close to six million cases of beer every year, has accepted the Rs 10-12 increase in prices, but cautioned the government against tinkering with prices of hard liquor on the eve of the tourist season.The state earns around Rs 500cr a year on excise collections.
The Goa government hiked the excise duty on beer by Rs 10-12 per bulk litre, while leaving the excise duty on Indian made foreign liquor (IMFL) and foreign liquor unchanged. Attempts to increase excise duty on IMFL and foreign liquor will have a ripple effect on Goa’s tourism industry and the coming wedding season, said a major alcohol retailer and wholesale dealer.
Goa, which has always been known for cheap alcohol rates and liberal drinking policies, is no longer the country’s cheapest liquor destination. Hard liquor rates in Delhi,Haryana, and Chandigarh are more affordable, and many north Indian travellers have stopped purchasing hard liquor while flying back Home after a wedding, holiday, or business trip.