LUCKNOW: Those who cherish their drink by the poolside will have it now. The state excise department is going to give options to existing establishments – resorts and big hospitality properties – having a bar to set up an extension counter at an additional cost of Rs 2.5 lakh.
The option would be provided only to properties which have a lawn, garden along with a swimming pool. Until now, the state didn’t have additional permits for setting up bars near the pool while these could be set up inside the premises.
That’s not all.
The starred hotels in UP which operate a bar will be able to serve liquor to the in-house guests through the day as the excise department in its new policy has done away with the timing restriction for operating a bar within a starred hotel.
International liquor companies interested in experimenting with the UP market will be eligible to introduce their products by paying Rs 10,000 as brand registration fees for the first time. While international beer companies had to pay Rs 75,000 for brand registration, liquor companies (whisky, rum, vodka, gin) were liable to pay Rs 1.5 lakh all this while.
And to ensure no Indian or foreign liquor company ends up overcharging UP residents, all the companies doing business in UP will have to give an undertaking while providing their cost sheet that the base price of their product is at par with northern states and Union Territories such as Delhi, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chandigarh.
“The final MRP is decided after levying state duty, transportation charges and margin of retailers and wholesalers. But if the base price quoted by the companies anywhere shall be the same as it is the basic liquor manufacturing cost. MRPs of the brands have come down and are at par with other states as a result,” said a senior officer from the excise department.
In another change made to meet the annual target, the excise department will fix monthly quota for the retailers for both Indian made foreign liquor and beer. While all this while retailers had to sell a fixed stock of IMFL and beer on a quarterly basis, the department will circulate a new proforma to the retailers from April 1 which will have the month-wise target.
