Liquor Rates: Beer prices have also increased. Now beer will be available in Himachal Pradesh between Rs 200 and Rs 250. Earlier, the price of beer in 2023-4 was between Rs 150 to Rs 200.
Liquor Rates: Liquor has become expensive in Himachal Pradesh. A new excise policy has been implemented in the state. The government has now fixed the Minimum Support Price (MSP) on liquor bottles. However, under the new policy, there is also a possibility of charging arbitrary prices of liquor. In such a situation, questions are also being raised on the new liquor policy.
According to officials of the Excise Department of Himachal Pradesh, a target of revenue collection of about Rs 2,800 crore has been set this year. Earlier, during the year 2023-24, the government had received a revenue of Rs 2,600 crore and the government had earned an additional income of Rs 500 crore.
According to the new rate list, the price of Royal Stag which is commonly sold in Himachal has now become around Rs 800. At the same time, the price of Old Monk Rum increased to Rs 700. Similarly, the MSP of Black Dog has been fixed at Rs 1,254, 100 Piper at Rs 1,228, Blender Pride at Rs 856, 8 PM Premium Black at Rs 551 and Royal Challenge at Rs 560. However, all prices will be charged more than the MSP. The important thing is that in a region where there is only one owner and all the contracts remain with him, arbitrary prices will be charged there.
Similarly, the prices of beer have also increased. Now beer will be available in Himachal Pradesh between Rs 200 and Rs 250. Earlier, the price of beer in 2023-4 was between Rs 150 to Rs 200. It is noteworthy that along with the liquor bottle, the government is also collecting milk cess of Rs 10 and ETD development fund of Rs 1.5. There are 2200 liquor shops in the state.
Operators will charge arbitrary prices
Liquor will be sold at MSP in the state and the government will fix the minimum price, but it will depend on the operators how much money they will save. Looting will also increase due to the new policy. Prices will increase by approximately 10 to 30 percent. Let us tell you that in the neighboring states of Himachal, liquor is sold in this manner in Punjab and Chandigarh. However, in places where the number of liquor shops is high. There, prices may also go down due to competition.
BJP raised questions
BJP has launched a scathing attack on the liquor policy of Himachal Pradesh government. BJP state media in-charge Karan Nanda alleged that the present Congress government has made major changes in the liquor policy to give protection to the mafia. Now the liquor policy will be known as mafia policy. With this policy, liquor contractors will no longer have to issue invoices, no matter what price they charge for a bottle of liquor. But Himachal government will not get any income. He alleged that this is a policy that protects the mafia.
