The State Government has collected Rs2,709.73 crore as Excise revenue in the year 2014-15 against Rs2,286.04 crore in the previous year. While the Government’s earning from Excise is on the rise, the Government has taken initiative to generate awareness on negative impact of liquor consumption.
The Odisha State Beverage Corporation (OSBC) has made this initiative through NOGs and social organisations. A well organized campaign programme is being unveiled soon, said a senior official of the Department of Excise.
The Excise Revenue collected in 2014-15 include Sales Tax of Rs670.94 crore. It has collected Rs.2,038.79 crore Excise Revenue minus Sales Tax and Entry Tax by March, 2015, which is 14.46 per cent higher compared to last financial year. In order to increase the Excise Revenue, the State Government had implemented hike in Sales Taxes on IMFl last year aiming to garner more revenue.
Meanwhile, the State Government has decided for an e-Auction of Indian Made Foreign liquor (IMFl) and country liquor shops in a bid to bring transparency and hike in Excise Revenue.
An official said State has targeted to conduct e-auction for 1,410 shops in two phases in the current year as per the new State Excise Policy. The e-Auction will help in generating additional resources at a time when revenue collection has dipped because of drying up of central assistance and reduction in the receipts from mining sector, an official said.