Liquor prices to be hiked again from New Year’s day

BENGALURU: While many are eagerly looking forward to the yearend, a shocker is in store. Those planning to to celebrate and enjoy new year party will have to bear with another hike in liquor prices.

The government had increased excise duty, a major source of revenue, by 20 per cent in the budget presented in July. Now, a notice has been issued to liquor companies to increase the price of liquor from January 1.

Currently, the price of regular brands like Old Tavern and 8PM whiskey is Rs 100 for 180 ml, but from January 1, it will increase to Rs 123. The current price of the premium brand Blenders Pride is Rs 540 for 180 ml and will go up by more than Rs 20.

The move comes at a time when prices of daily essentials have already risen, leading to murmurs that the government is offering freebies while imposing a burden on people by hiking prices.

Karunakara Hegde, secretary of the Bar Owners Association said there is a proposal to increase prices of regular alcohol brands which is consumed by lower-class people in the state. “The Excise Department has already directed bars to hike price from January 1. The prices of alcohol increase as the production and transportation costs of the companies will also increase. The companies have consequently decided to increase prices and have sent messages to bar owners requesting that they cooperate in rising the prices as per instructions.

The Excise Department had been given a target of Rs 35,000 crore in the budget presented by the previous BJP government. The target was revised to Rs 36,000 crore in the budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in July this year.