Guwahati: Liquor rates will go up by 15 per cent in Assam from midnight as the prices have been raised by the excise department to offset the losses to the state exchequer, generated by the reduction in value-added tax on petrol and diesel.
As of today, December 10, the present liquor rate is in force.
The tax on costly liquor would go, whereas the tax on wine and beer will not be hiked owing to the high current levy and to safeguard local businesses, there will be no tax on wine, beer, and low-cost brands.
In the 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 fiscal years 2020-21.
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 the COVID 19 pandemic, the government had levied a 25% liquor cess, which 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.
Also read: Assam liquor prices hiked: See details here
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