Delhi may not see excise duty hike on liquor this year
9 Jun 2015 5:20 AM IST
Delhi government is contemplating not to increase excise duty on liquor this year. However, the excise department has proposed to increase license fee in different categories from around 20 to 30 <g data-gr-id="23">per cent</g>.
A proposal in this regard has been submitted to the AAP government for its final approval.
In its proposal, the department said that last year, the prices of liquor, across various segments, were increased by 8-12 per cent and, hence, there is no need to revise excise duty this year.
“After Haryana Government increased licence fee by 100 <g data-gr-id="33">per cent</g> and levy assessment fee on imported liquor under its Excise Policy 2015-16, there is no big difference in rates in Delhi and Haryana which would also help curb liquor smuggling.
“As the rates of liquor, beer were significantly increased in Delhi last year, we don’t think there should be revision of excise duty this year, which is also part of excise strategy to increase the revenue,” a senior government official told a news agency.
However, the department has proposed to increase <g data-gr-id="32">fee</g> of license in different categories from around 20 to 30 per cent, including pub and bar licences, the official said.
“In view of Haryana government doubling the restaurant license fee for selling alcoholic beverages in Gurgaon to Rs 12.5 lakh from the earlier existing Rs 6 lakh, the Delhi excise department has also proposed to increase license fee in different categories ranging from 20 to 30 <g data-gr-id="38">per cent</g>,” the official said.
The department’s proposal will soon be tabled before Cabinet for approval.
The city excise department has also submitted another proposal which favours bringing down the legal age from the existing age 25 to 21 years for <g data-gr-id="29">consumption</g> of beer and wine.
Good news for tipplers, micro-brews likely in Delhi
This is one news the lager lovers of Delhi will greet with loud cheers. The excise department of the Delhi government has proposed allowing micro-brew pubs for the first time in the national capital.
Hitherto people wanting to savour the freshly-brewed bubbly had to travel all the way to Gurgaon and Faridabad in Haryana where such breweries exist in large numbers. The proposal, which has been forwarded to the AAP government for approval, has cited existence of <g data-gr-id="67">micro breweries</g> in Gurgaon, Faridabad, Pune and Bengaluru and said opening such outlets can shore up the state’s revenue. “There are no microbreweries in Delhi due to which people have to go to Faridabad or Gurgaon to get <g data-gr-id="69">freshly-brewed</g> beer. If <g data-gr-id="68">government</g> approves this proposal, it will also help generate more revenue,” a senior government official told a news agency.
Micro-breweries produce a small amount of <g data-gr-id="66">lager</g> and are usually set up in pubs that cater to niche customers.
Next Story
