Liquor rates up, govt eyes Rs 170 cr/month windfall | Hyderabad News
Hyderabad: Liquor prices will increase, between Rs 10 and Rs 40 from Monday. The excise department on Sunday announced the revised prices. According to sources, the state govt anticipates an additional revenue of Rs 170 crore per month from the latest revision.Incidentally, beer prices were hiked a few months ago.In the 2023-24 fiscal, the govt had generated Rs 34,000 crore (approximately) in revenue from liquor sales and has set a target of Rs 40,000 crore this fiscal.Under the new pricing, the cost of a quarter (180ml) bottle of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) would increase by Rs 10, a half (350 ml) bottle by Rs 20, and a full (750 ml) bottle by Rs 40. Notably, the price hike would not apply to inexpensive liquor or breezers.The decision to raise liquor prices came after a series of meetings focused on resource mobilisation and establishment of department-specific targets. Just a few days ago, the excise department had held discussions with senior officials and a circular was issued on Sunday to implement the price hike, which would affect over 2,000 liquor brands in the state.The price revision would apply only to consumers, while manufacturers and suppliers would not see a corresponding hike. As per the rate contract, manufacturers were entitled to a price increase every two years with the last adjustment having occurred in 2023. An industry source mentioned that with rising manufacturing costs, it was becoming increasingly challenging to supply liquor at the current rates.
