Bangalore: Liquor prices of various brands have
been increased by 10 to 20 per cent in Karnataka with effect
from April 1, Excise minister M P Renukacharya said on Tuesday.
The hike would lead to additional revenue of Rs 1,000 crore
to the state exchequer, he told reporters here.
The government would also double the licence fee to
distilleries, he said.
Liquor sales in Karnataka have witnessed a surge and
manufacturers have been reaping good margins, he said
defending the hike.
Liquor manufacturing distilleres are now levied Rs 30 lakh
licence fee per annum and Rs 20 lakh from bottling units, he
said adding the fees would be doubled this year.
The hike would enable government earn Rs 60 crore revenue
from the existing Rs 30 crore, he said, adding a target has
been set to mop up Rs 9200 crore excise revenue this year.
Last year the revenues touched Rs 8315 crore as against the
target of Rs 7500 crore, Renukacharya said.
He said efforts are on to check entry of illegal liquor
from Goa as also the powder mixed into toddy from neighbouring
Andhra Pradesh into parts of Raichur, Gulbarga and Koppal in
the state.
The government has launched a crackdown on hooch
manufacturing units in the state, he added.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, April 12, 2011, 10:57