Panaji: As the tourism season set to kick off, the cash-strapped Goa government has hiked the excise duty on beer by Rs 10-12 per bulk litre. At the same time, it has kept the excise duty on hard liquor unchanged.
This is the second increase in last two years. In 2020, government has hiked the excise duty on beer by Rs 22-30 per bulk litre.
While entry-level beer attracted Rs 30 per bulk litre, the excise duty has now been enhanced to Rs 42 per bulk litre.
In the premium segment, strong beer with more than 5% alcohol content and where the retail price exceeds Rs 160 per bottle, a duty of Rs 60 per bulk litre has been imposed, as against Rs 50 per bulk litre earlier.
The move is likely to impact the liquor business in the state.
The move comes at a time when Maharashtra government has imposed ban on import of liquor from Goa. Maharashtra government has decided to apply the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) on persons caught “illegally carrying alcohol”.
One of the most popular tourism destinations in the country, Goa is known for its liberal liquor regime.
