Liquor sales fall, revenue rises

CHANDIGARH: Even as sale of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and beer has dropped in the first quarter (April-June) of the current financial year as compared to 2010-11, UT excise and taxation department has got richer by Rs 100 crore in the period. That is a 78% increase in revenue as during April to June last year, the department earned revenue of just Rs 56 crore.
This became possible due to high cost of liquor vends and increase in excise duty.The sales of IMFL and beer have come down by about 43 and 11%, respectively. That seems to be a direct effect of increased liquor prices.
One such consumer, Niranjan Singh told The Times of India that as his favourite premium whiskey brand's price had been hiked by more than 25% this year, he had to cut down on his quota to adjust to the new rates. ''We are a group of four friends having private jobs in Mohali. The increase in IMFL rates has forced all of us to reduce our daily drinking sessions. But we have not compromised on our favourite brand,'' he revealed.
Akash Jain, whose group of college-going friends had to cut down on their beer consumption as its price has been increased by 20%, said, ''We are from middle-class backgrounds and also have to look after hostel expenses. We had no other choice but to limit our beer parties.''
An excise official said, ''Sale of IMFL has come down to 4.88 lakh cartons during April-June this year in sharp contrast to 8.55 lakh cartons during the same period last year. This has definitely something to do with the high rates and excise duties this year. Beer sales have not seen a major fall this quarter as it has come down to 3.33 lakh cartons from last year's 3.77 lakh. Again, high rates are to blame for that.