Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa government has once again postponed the implementation of its Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) for liquor and liquor-based products, with the first phase now scheduled to begin on April 1, 2027 instead of September 1, 2026.
The latest deferment comes after the Excise Department flagged technical challenges arising from the simultaneous rollout of two separate QR code-based systems—one for tracking liquor bottles to curb smuggling and another for facilitating deposit refunds under the DRS.
According to officials, implementing two independent QR code mechanisms on the same product created operational concerns for manufacturers, importers, retailers and government agencies. The department has now been tasked with developing a unified system that can serve both purposes before the scheme is launched.
A revised government notification issued on Wednesday formally amends the earlier implementation schedule notified on June 30, 2026. As per the updated timeline, Producers, Importers and Brand Owners (PIBOs) dealing in liquor and liquor-based products must complete their DRS registration by February 28, 2027. Registration will be mandatory for selling covered products in Goa once the scheme comes into force.
This is the second time the state has rescheduled the initiative. The DRS was originally planned for launch on April 1, 2026, but was later deferred after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that additional time was needed for stakeholder consultations and public awareness.
In its first phase, the scheme will apply to liquor and liquor-based products sold in glass, plastic, metal and other notified packaging materials, including multi-layered packaging and liquid packaging boards.
Once implemented, consumers will pay a refundable deposit of ₹2 to ₹10, depending on the type of container, in addition to the Maximum Retail Price. The amount will be returned when empty bottles or containers are deposited at authorised collection centres, with the scheme intended to improve recycling, increase recovery of used packaging and reduce environmental waste across the state.
