Liquor rates will go up by 15 per cent in Assam from December 11 onwards as the excise department has revised the prices to offset the losses to the state exchequer generated by the reduction in value added tax on petrol and diesel.
As of December 10, the ‘old’ rates were in force.
As per authorities, the tax on liquor will increase while it will remain the same for wine and beer due to the already high levy and to safeguard local businesses.
In fiscal year 2001-02, the government of Assam generated Rs 148 crore in excise revenue, which has gone up to Rs 2,033 crore in 2020-21 fiscal.
For the 2021-22 financial year, the department has set an excise revenue collection goal of Rs 2,400 crore.
During the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic, the government had levied a 25 per cent liquor cess. The additional burden was subsequently lifted.
In the state, there are 1,234 liquor and wine establishments, with 318 in Guwahati alone. There are a total of 996 bars in the state.
