liquor is all set to become costlier in Haryana. Announcing the new Excise Policy for the financial year 2016-17, the Haryana Government on Wednesday enhanced the Value Added Tax (VAT) on liquor from 8 per cent to 10 per cent.
The Haryana Cabinet which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Manohar lal Khattar has approved the Excise Policy for the year 2016-17. “VAT on liquor has been increased from 8 per cent to 10 per cent. The MRPs of popular Indian Made Foreign liquor (IMFl) and beer have been rationalised as per market trends,” said Cabinet Minister Ram Bilas Sharma while briefing mediapersons after the Cabinet meet. The excise duty has been increased for Country liquor (Cl) from Rs12 per proof litre (PPl) to Rs18 and that of IMFl from Rs30 per proof litre to Rs45.
The total number of retail outlets of Cl and IMFl will remain unchanged at 3,500. However, sub-vends will be allowed in Gram Panchayats with less than 1,000 population only with the prior consent of the panchayat. Modern shops with good facilities for customers and machine-generated Point of Sale (POS) would be encouraged and their number would also be increased. The Government has also increased license fee of wholesale vend. In case of l-13, it has been increased from Rs5 lakh to Rs10 lakh and for l-1, from Rs40 lakh to Rs50 lakh.
Bars in banquet halls have been allowed l-2 licenses in rural areas.
Sharma said the Government has introduced the facility of online passes and permits for transportation of liquor. Excise Duty remains unchanged except for draught beer and ready to drink beverage where it has been brought at par with mild beer.
E-Tendering of liquor vends will continue and has been made more user-friendly, he added.