Maharashtra Government has effected increase in rate of excise duty on country liquor from June 1. Kantilal Umap, Commissioner, State Excise, issued a circular in this regard to all Divisional Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of State Excise across Maharashtra.

While issuing the circular, Umap has asked the subordinate officials to furnish to his office the information regarding production cost, maximum retail price (MRP), and Excise Duty as per the revised rates. Also, the Office Superintendent has been asked to ensure that the information was collected every month from the respective Divisional Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of State Excise.

Earlier, the rate for 750 ml bottle of country liquor was Rs 250/- (MRP). The rate for 180 ml bottle was Rs 60/-, and that for 90 ml bottle was Rs 30/- at retail counter. Now, said an official, as per new rates, it will be Rs 290/- (MRP) for 750 ml bottle, Rs 70/- for 180 ml bottle, and Rs 35/- for 90 ml bottle. Thus, the effective average hike in MRP will be 16 per cent. While increasing the excise duty rates, new varieties of country liquor have been introduced. These are 35 UP and 25 UP coloured liquor.

The circular states that excise duty as per the revised rates shall be recovered on the country liquor produced before June 1, 2022 and distributed from the said date. In case of any discrepancy, the officer in-charge will be held responsible.

Several units have huge stock of labels with old rates printed on them. The circular states that the units manufacturing