The tipplers would have to shell out more money for liquor from April onwards in the union territory of Chandigarh.

Announcing the excise policy for next fiscal year 2021-22, the Chandigarh Administration on Wednesday announced to increase excise duty on Indian Made Foreign Liquor by six percent. However, the excise duty on country liquor has not been increased.

Aiming to give a boost to the hospitality and tourism sector in the city, the Administration has allowed the facility of mini bars in three-star and four-star hotels in addition to five-star or above category of hotels in Chandigarh.

Last year, the five-star hotels in Chandigarh were allowed to serve liquor round the clock and a facility of mini-bar was also allowed for the occupants of the rooms.

The Administration has also decided to not increase the licence fee of the hotels, bars or restaurants during next fiscal year. No new bottling plant license will be granted by the Administration in 2020-21.

In order to promote the low alcoholic contents, the Administration has this year decided to introduce a new category of Beer i.e. Super Mild Beer containing alcoholic content upto 3.5 percent v/v.

The facility of kegging of Beer in Kegs of 50 Litre capacity (manufactured in Microbreweries of Chandigarh) is also allowed to Microbrewery Licensee and licensee can sell Draught Beer against excise permits to bars, restaurants and clubs licensees by following proper standard safety measures. 

The licensee however will not be allowed to pack beer in bottles, CANS or Pouches for sale. With the introduction of excise policy for the year 2021-22, the Administration is expecting to earn revenue of around Rs 700 crore, said a senior officer of UT Administration.

He said that the allotment of licensing units will continue through a complete e-tendering system for more transparency and a complete online system for issuance of permits or passes to facilitate trade and industry.

In the next fiscal year, the number of liquor vends have been increased from 94 to 96. To curb the menace of cartelization and monopolistic practices, a single entity of firms, companies or individuals will be entitled to allotment upto a maximum of 10 vends only, he added.

The officer said that to promote low alcoholic contents beverages i.e. beer, wine and particularly to boost Indian wine industry, the license fee and excise duty has not been increased. Excise duty on IMFL has been increased by around six percent this time.

This year, the Alcometer facility was made mandatory for Taverns (Ahatas) while last year, it was made mandatory for all hotels and restaurants serving liquor.

In the new excise policy, the basic quota of IMFL has been increased from 100 lakh proof litre to 110 lakh proof litre, basic quota of country liquor is increased from 8 lakh proof litre to 12 lakh proof litre and the quota of foreign liquor (Bio Brand Whisky) has been increased from 3.30 lakh proof litre to 3.50 lakh proof litre.

To promote Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the retail licensees will have to maintain cleanliness and hygiene in and around the shop, failing which a penalty will be imposed under the excise policy.

Apart from this, the cow cess imposed on liquor last year will continue in the city. The cow cess is levied at Rs 5 per bottle of 750 ml of country liquor, Rs 5 per bottle of 650ml of Beer and Rs 10 per bottle of 750 ml of whisky.