Guwahati: This is not an ‘April Fool’ joke. This is official – price of alcohol is set to reach new heights in Assam from April 1.
The Assam Excise Department has declared a substantial increase in alcohol prices, which will come into force from April 1.
The rise in the prices of alcohol in Assam will be due to the modification of ad-valorem taxes on different brands of Indian-made foreign liquor, beer, wine, and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages.
The change in the tax regime is going to bring about additional revenue as alcohol is the third largest tax earner in Assam.
Assam is a major guzzling state in India. It consumes more than 5.30 lakh litre of liquor daily on an average resulting in daily average excise revenue of over ₹10 crore.
The change of ad-valorem taxes applies to both civil consumption and consumption via Canteen Stores Depot (CSD) bonded warehouses and paramilitary wholesale warehouses.
Here is the list:
Beer: Draught beer containing alcohol up to 5% v/v: Ad-valorem levy ranges from 0.73 to 0.88 times the assessed value, with a minimum of Rs. 33 to Rs. 43 per bottle of 650 ml.
Beer containing alcohol above 5%: Ad-valorem levy ranges from 0.88 to 0.88 times the assessed value, with a minimum of Rs. 43 per bottle of 650 ml.
India-Made Spirits: Various categories including General Brand, Regular Brand, Luxury Brand, Elegant Brand, Premium Brand, and Classic Premium Brand, with ad-valorem levies ranging from 0.66 to 1.32 times the assessed value, and minimum prices per bottle ranging from Rs. 130 to Rs. 530 for 750 ml bottles.
Ready-to-Drink Alcoholic Beverages: Ad-valorem levy at 0.44 times the assessed value, with a minimum of Rs. 14 per bottle of 275 ml.
Wines: Ad-valorem levy at 0.25 times the assessed value, with a minimum of Rs. 43 per bottle of 750 ml.
Consumption through CSD and Paramilitary Warehouses:
Beer: Draught beer containing alcohol up to 5% v/v: Ad-valorem levy at 0.53 times the CSD cost price, with a minimum of Rs. 16 per bottle of 650 ml.
Beer containing alcohol above 5%: Ad-valorem levy at 0.63 times the CSD cost price, with a minimum of Rs. 20 per bottle of 650 ml.
India-Made Spirits: Similar categories as for civil consumption, with ad-valorem levies ranging from 0.60 to 0.96 times the CSD cost price, and minimum prices per bottle ranging from Rs. 60 to Rs. 262 for 750 ml bottles.
Ready-to-Drink Alcoholic Beverages: Ad-valorem levy at 0.40 times the CSD cost price, with a minimum of Rs. 10 per bottle of 275 ml.
Wines: Ad-valorem levy at 0.75 times the CSD cost price, with a minimum of Rs. 60 per bottle of 750 ml.
With these revisions, consumers are likely to face a considerable increase in alcohol prices, impacting both social and economic dynamics within the state.
