State government hikes beer prices again

BENGALURU: Yet again, the prices of beer in the state have been increased by Rs 20 per 650 ml bottle in the state effective today.

Earlier, beer prices had been increased from Rs 5 to Rs 12 per bottle of beer as the Excise Department had increased the excise duty from 185 per cent to 195 per cent. Now, with the second hike, the prices of beer have increased by as much as Rs 40 per bottle in the last six months, sources said.

An additional excise duty of 20 per cent was imposed on beer after the Congress government came to power in the state. Following this, beer manufacturing companies hiked the price by at least Rs 10 per bottle to cover the rising cost of production.

Now, the government has increased excise duty again, leading to a further increase in the prices of beer.