Cost of premium liquor to come down

BENGALURU: The Karnataka government is planning to reduce the cost of premium liquor in the state, considering the prices in neighbouring states. The move is expected to increase excise revenue and the revised price list is likely to be released on Friday or Saturday. .

People in border areas were buying liquor from other states due to high liquor prices in Karnataka compared to neighboring states, resulting in a loss of hundreds of crores of rupees in revenue to the state government. To prevent this loss, the government has decided to reduce liquor prices.

The Excise Department has taken steps to reduce the prices of 16 slabs of liquor, making expensive liquor available at lower prices.  The higher priced brandy, wisky, rum and gin will now come down.

As announced by CM Siddaramaiah in the budget, liquor prices in Karnataka will be revised considering the prices in neighbouring states. The rate was supposed to be hiked in July, but it was temporarily suspended on the directions of the CM.