Assam collects Rs 100 crore revenue from liquor sales amid lockdown relaxations, hikes 25 percent excise duty

Assam Excise minister Primal Suklabaidya said the state government has collected over Rs 100 crore as revenue from liquor sales in last five days.

“During the first phase of lockdown, we had allowed to open wine shops for two days, but we ordered to close down it immediately after many social distancing norms violation incidents were reported. Recently we have again allowed to open liquor shops in the state as a part of lockdown relaxations, but it is mandatory to follow all orders, directives given by the health department,” Parimal Suklabaidya said.

The Assam Excise minister also said the state Excise department has faced a loss of around Rs 300 crore as revenue during the lockdown period.

“Last year, we had collected around Rs 3000 crore as revenue from liquor sales in the state. During the lockdown period, the state has faced a huge loss of revenue collection. Recently, the state cabinet has decided to hike excise duty on MRP of liquor bottle by 25 percent. By this, we will collect Rs 1000 crore additionally,” Parimal Suklabaidya said.

According to the Assam Excise department data, on an average, people of the state have consumed 92.09 lakh bulk litre of liquor per month.

One bottle measures 750 ml and in one case there are 12 bottles and one case is measured as nine bulk litres.

In 2019, a total of 3,68,76,708 bulk litre of IMFL and 2,75,91,705 bulk litre of beer were consumed by the people of Assam.

(By Hemanta Kumar Nath, Guwahati)