In a move to raise the State’s excise revenue, the Department of Excise (DoE) under its new Excise Policy Guidelines for next fiscal-2013-14 has reiterated its stand to go in for e-auction of IMFl (India made foreign liquor) and country spirit shops.
The DoE on Saturday issued the new policy guidelines. This would have far-reaching impact on the present excise system and is expected to augment revenue, feel senior officers in the State Directorate of Excise.
As per the policy guidelines, in case some IMFl shops remain unsettled though e-auction, they would be allowed to run by Government agencies and cooperative organisations with the licence fee fixed by the Government.
This would open scope for the OTDC and other PSUs of the State to go in for lucrative liquor business as the system is prevailing in Delhi and other places, said official sources.
For the first time, the Government is going to introduce Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA) based cheap liquor in the State. The excise duty, fee structure and other guidelines would be prescribed for it separately, said an official.
The DoE has also proposed to allow model wine shops attached to star hotels and luxury hotels, shopping malls and complexes with a licence fee of Rs 1 lakh to sell wine and low-strength liquor so as to boost the sale of these beverages.
The department has also decided to go in for e-auction in settling the out-still system in 2014-15 and, accordingly, the Excise Commissioner would submit a detailed proposal to the Government.
The out-still system, currently operational in 21 districts, would be renewed in 2013-14 with a 20-per cent increase over the existing consideration money, said the notification.
As per the new guidelines, the licence fee for wholesale distribution has been hiked and the wholesale licence of the Odisha State Beverages Corporation (OSBC) would be renewed for 2013-14 on payment of a licence fee of Rs 100 crore. The OSBC was earlier paying Rs 50 crore towards the licence fee.
The licence fee for breweries and the bottling fee have also been increased for the next fiscal. Besides, the excise duties on beer, IMFls like whisky, rum, brandy and vodka have also been hiked.
While there were varied rates for beer made in India, imported from foreign countries, draught beer and canned beer during 2012-13, the rate would be Rs 25 per bulk litre (Bl).