In a bid to bring liquor prices on a par with the neighbouring States, Karnataka will rationalise excise duty slabs, which is likely to bring down the prices of premium liquor while increasing lower end liquor marginally during the next financial year.
May miss target
Without announcing any increase in excise duty, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday announced that the excise duty slabs on IML and beer will be rationalised and make Karnataka competitive with neighbouring States. Incidentally, the Excise Department had been given a target of ₹36,000 crore owing to reduced demand, and the department is likely to miss its target. The government revised the excise duty rate for beer last month as the State reported a higher beer sales.
