PANAJI: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed the excise department to implement strict measures to curb illegal liquor smuggling from Goa.
he smuggling of low-priced liquor from Goa to Karnataka has been impacting excise revenue. In August, Karnataka government lowered excise duty slabs, making premium liquor more affordable to align with prices in neighbouring states and reduce revenue losses.
The Congress-led government, which is implementing five poll guarantees costing an average of Rs 55,000 crore a year, is under pressure to shore up revenue.
After reviewing the excise department’s tax collection, Siddaramaiah said, “The excise tax collection target for 2024-25 is Rs 38,525 crore. As of October 28, Rs 20,237 crore has been collected, achieving 52.53 percent of the target. This year’s collections are Rs 1,301.15 crore higher than the same period last year.”
He urged the department to meet its target by the March deadline, warning that any complaints of corruption would be addressed strictly.
He emphasised the importance of meeting targets under all circumstances. The state has set a goal of Rs 1,10,000 crore for commercial tax collection in 2024-25. By October end, Rs 58,773 crore has been collected, comprising Rs 44,783 crore from GST, Rs 13,193 crore from Karnataka Sales Tax, and Rs 797 crore from professional tax—achieving 53.5 percent of the target and reflecting a Rs 5,957 crore increase compared to last year.
“To meet the annual target by March, Rs 10,200 crore needs to be collected each month over the next five months,” he said.
Siddaramaiah stressed the importance of coordinated efforts, stating, “Achieving the target is essential for the state’s development.” He announced plans for monthly reviews, reiterating that any official falling short of the target will be held accountable. He also noted that the Kar Samadhana scheme, which waives interest on outstanding excise duties, is expected to generate an additional Rs 2,000 crore.
