Despite Lockdown Guwahati Records Highest Liquor Sale Over the Last Six Years

For around one and half months, all the wine shops and bars were closed in Guwahati because of the Covid pandemic induced lockdown. 

Despite this, there is an increase in liquor sales (including both IMFL and beer) by around 7 lakh litres in 2020. In 2019 till November, 1,35,95,905 litres of liquor was sold in Guwahati whereas in 2020 till November 1,42,78,595 litres have been sold. 

From 1st January to 30th November 2020, Guwahati has consumed 89,17,535 litres of IMFL and 53,61,060 litres of beer which sums up to 1,42,78,595 litres of liquor.

One bottle measures 750 ml and in one case there are 12 bottles. One case is measured as 9 bulk litres which is nine litres.

A source in the excise department, talking to G Plus said, “There is an increasing trend in the consumption of liquor in Guwahati.” 

It needs to be mentioned that during the lockdown the price of the liquor was increased as the excise department had increased the tax. The government had claimed that 25% tax was increased in all liquor segments but in the upper segments it turned out to be around 50% to 65%. Red Label whisky that used to cost Rs 1,800 and after calculating 25% increase should have been Rs 2,300, has its price rise above Rs 3,000 as on date. Similarly, many upper segments brands are priced very high and which is more than 25% on the previous MRP.  

Assam excise department had increased 25% in MRP across all segments of IMFL, beer, wine and overseas products during the lockdown. The entire enhanced amount of the MRP has been added to state exchequer. 

The government’s decision of increasing tax on liquor was alleged to be unplanned and was expected to jeopardise the government’s target of collecting more revenue. But looking at the sale figures, it is apparent that the tax increase has not affected the sales of liquor. 

The excise department generates Rs 150 crores as revenue from liquor sale every month in Assam. 

In the year 2019, the excise department collected Rs 1,639.61 crores as revenue from liquor sales and in 2020 till November the government has collected Rs 1,178.52 crores as revenue from liquor sales. In 2019, Assam government collected the highest revenues from liquor sales and in 2020 it seems like there might be a dip. But the sale figures are high. The excise department source said that it may be because of the lockdown but on enquiring why the sales figures are high the source said, “It is a possibility that there might have been more sales but talking about revenue there might be a dip because after the tax increase many consumers have shifted their preference towards a lower segment level of liquor brand.”

A regular liquor consumer talking to G Plus said, “Earlier I used to drink Blenders Pride every day, but now I drink Royal Challenge.” 

In the last six years, 2020 recorded the highest liquor sale ever.   

Liquor consumption data of Guwahati