English liquor gets expensive by Rs. 5 to Rs. 55

English liquor has become expensive by Rs 5 to 55 in Himachal Pradesh. Under the new excise policy, there has been an increase in the prices due to the increase in renewal fee by four percent. Customers can also complain to the authorities on recovery of more than the fixed prices in liquor shops. Revenue receipt of Rs 2,131 crore is envisaged during the year 2022-23, which is Rs 264 crore more than the FY 2021-22. In the financial year 2022-23, retail excise contracts have been renewed in the state at four per cent renewal fee per unit.

It is noteworthy that in March 2022, the Excise Policy for the year 2022-23 was approved under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. Under this, country liquor has been made 16 percent cheaper. The government has reduced its license fee. By fixing the price lower than the neighboring states, the government has tried to stop the smuggling of country liquor in the state. This year liquor contracts have been awarded through renewal instead of auction. The government has increased the target of Tax and Excise Department for the year 2022-23 by 12 percent. To achieve this target, the department has increased several excise duties including license fees. Due to this, the price of liquor has increased in the state.

A person can carry maximum four bottles of liquor Under the new excise policy, any person can carry a maximum of four liquor bottles, 24 bottles of beer from a liquor contract. Customers can also take them in their car.  

Liquor Brand (bottle) 2022-23 2021-22 Price (in Rs)