West Bengal revised the price structure of brands of alcohol for sale through retail
Calcutta:
The West Bengal government has revised the price structure for brands of alcohol for sale through the retail channel in the state, which will go into effect from Sunday, sources said.
The government made 22 new slices for wine and beer across all categories after streamlining the pricing structure, the sources said.
The state government, in an apparent attempt to consolidate excise revenues, imposed a 30 percent alcohol tax in the second week of April, when the lockdown was in effect.
But the move had resulted in a sharp drop in wine and beer sales in the state of 40% from the previous year at this time, said the director general of the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) Vinod Giri.
Mr Giri said representatives of the association met with the State Secretary for Finance and the Excise Commissioner and urged them to review the pricing structure.
“The government has been very receptive and has indicated that it will visit the pricing structure given the current holiday season,” he said.
A major wine retailer in the city said the government had made 22 new slabs for wine and beer across all categories after streamlining the price structure after imposing a 30% sales tax.
He said most of the prices of the various brands had increased, which was detrimental to the state’s liquor industry.
“Because of this, people are forced to switch to the spirits of the country and everyone has reduced the value ladder due to the rising prices,” he added.
Retailers with old price tags will be able to sell at previous prices while supplies last.
(This story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
