Jaipur: The state excise department has decided to hike the prices of imported liquor. In the previous fiscal year (April 2022 to March 2023), the department had not set the prices for these types of liquor. As a result, it was being sold through unlawful means breaching Rajasthan’s regulations, sourced from neighbouring states such as , Delhi, and . This year, however, the excise department has established prices for these liquor types and increased their maximum retail price (MRP).
According to excise officials, the department had set the rates for foreign liquor last year, but the companies did not accept revised prices. “In absence of stock of these premier liquor brands, many smuggled it from another cities, which resulted in loss to the state exchequer. The sale of foreign liquor is high in all the big hotels (of 3 star or above category) and bars. Apart from this, foreign liquor is mostly given in events and parties held in hotels. After the rates are fixed, an additional revenue will be generated.”
Over 200,000 cases of various foreign liquor brands are sold in the state every year, generating a revenue of more than Rs 150 crore.
An official source said, “The department has recently fixed rates for over 15 foreign liquor brands ranging from Rs 1,600 to Rs 12,870. The government has increased the MRP of these liquors by 10%. The prices of some liquors that cost Rs 2,000 a year ago are now sold for Rs 2,200 to Rs 2,300.” Liquor traders have welcomed the move.
While many were surviving on quota left over from last year, new traders who bought vends this year were waiting and demanding supply from Rajasthan State Beverages Corporation Ltd.
The above news was originally posted on news.google.com
