GUWAHATI: The new excise regulations from the Assam government have increased liquor prices from July 2023 and the state will issue new "off" or liquor shops licensed soon to "H1" or highest bidders. The licences for "premium" off-liquor shops in malls or commercial establishments in municipal areas will also be issued. The premium liquor stores will stay open until 11:00 PM.
"The government recently conducted a survey to identify where new liquor shop licenses should be opened, and after the survey was completed by District Excise Department officials, it is seen that in some border areas requirement of liquor shops is vital to combat the illegal entry of liquor from other states," said a senior official of Excise Department.
The official claimed that the licences will be issued according to the bidding process conducted by the District Commissioners of every district.
The bid will be advertised in prominent newspapers 30 days before the last date of submission of the bid, said the official adding that the H1 bidder will get the licence.
The official further added that following a similar process, licenses for "premium" liquor shops will be issued in malls and commercial establishments falling under municipal areas. The premium shops will remain open till 11 PM.
The decision to raise the tariff from 4% to 25% was made in order to boost and increase revenue, said the official.
The Ad-valorem levy on draught beer shall be charged on the basis of its daily installed capacity@₹32 per BL.
0.82 times of the assessed value ascertained by applying an abatement of 65% on the declared MRP.
For RUM- 1.02 times of the assessed value ascertained by applying an abatement of 65% on the declared MRP subject to a minimum of ₹100 per bottle of 750 ml or equivalent quantity.
For Whisky, Gin etc (Regular Brand) - 1.15 times of the assessed value ascertained by applying an abatement of 65% on the declared MRP subject to a minimum of ₹21 per bottle of 750 ml or equivalent quantity.
For Whisky, Gin etc (Luxury Brand)- 1.03 times of the assessed value ascertained by applying an abatement of 65% on the declared MRP subject to a minimum of ₹137 per bottle of 750 ml or equivalent quantity.
For Rum, Whisky, Gin, and other liquor (Elegant Brand)- 1.02 times of the assessed value ascertained by applying an abatement of 65% on the declared MRP subject to a minimum of ₹175 per bottle of 750 ml or equivalent quantity.
For Rum, Whisky, Gin, and other liquor (Premium Brand)- 0.83 times of the assessed value ascertained by applying an abatement of 65% on the declared MRP subject to a minimum of ₹248 per bottle of 750 ml or equivalent quantity.
For Rum, Whisky, Gin, and other liquor (Classic Premium Brand)- 0.55 times of the assessed value was ascertained by applying an abatement of 65% on the declared MRP subject to a minimum of ₹427 per bottle of 750 ml or equivalent quantity.
For Rum, Whisky, Gin, and other liquor (Cheap Brand)- 0.62 times of the assessed value ascertained by applying an abatement of 65% on the declared MRP subject to a minimum of ₹24 per bottle of 750 ml or equivalent quantity.
Ready to drink alcoholic beverage- 0.40 times of the assessed value ascertained by applying an abatement of 65% on the declared MRP subject to a minimum of ₹10.60 per bottle of 275 ml or equivalent quantity.
Wines- 0.13 times of the assessed value ascertained by applying an abatement of 65% on the declared MRP subject to a minimum of ₹34.70 per bottle of 750 ml or equivalent quantity.
Meanwhile, as soon as it was reported that new liquor off-shops will be issued, many middlemen started conning businessmen willing to apply for an off-liquor shop license.
A source close to present State Excise Minister Parimal Shuklabaidya talking to G Plus said that the minister has recently received a complaint that a middleman tried taking a bribe of ₹15 lakh promising a liquor shop license.
The minister has ordered to file a complaint on the matter.
A senior Excise official said the bidding process will be very transparent and there will be no scope for corruption to get an off-shop license, stressed the official.
Well, the government is planning to increase revenue by selling more liquor but hopefully, the process is not in place for any vested interests.