Thiruvananthapuram – Heavy taxes are increasing the price of liquor in the state. Indian-made foreign liquor priced below Rs 400 per case is taxed at 247 per cent. Liquor priced above Rs 400 per case is taxed at 237 per cent and beer produced in India is 112 per cent. Liquor is sold in shops after the Bawridges Corporation collects tax on the price it buys from the liquor companies, excise duty, gallonage fee (a fee levied by excise on the use of the spirit), profit and operating expenses.
According to figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act in 2020, a bottle of Becardi Classic liquor was bought by Breweries Corporation for Rs 168. Selling for Rs 1240. 1072 rupees were received by the government. This amount will increase according to the new tax rate. The position of the finance department of the corporation is that the price of liquor purchased from distilleries cannot be disclosed.
A case contains 12 bottles of 750 ml each. According to the reply received under the Right to Information Act, two years ago, the government was buying a bottle of Honeybee brandy for Rs 53. It was selling for Rs.560. 507 was received by the government. Old Monk Rum was bought at Rs 72 and sold at Rs 770. 698 was received by the government.
Mansion House used to buy brandy for Rs.78. 820 was being sold. 742 was received by the government. Hercules rum was bought at Rs 64 and sold at Rs 680. 616 was received by the government. In February last year, the price of liquor increased by 7%, from Rs 10 to Rs 90 per bottle. The liquor manufacturers have demanded an increase of 11.6% due to the increase in the price of spirit. This is the first price hike since November 2017.
English Summary: High Tax on Liquor in Kerala