New Excise Policy for Rajasthan

The Rajasthan Liquor Industry is all set for a jolt owing to the new Liquor Policy being declared. A number of policies of the government are likely to hit the producers and the retailers. The number of country liquor shops has seen no change from last year’s figure of 6600. However, the number of shops offering IMFL/Beer has been reduced from 1800 to 1000. Bids are currently being invited for the same and the allotment of licenses would be done based on a lottery system drawn on the 24th of this month.

The number of shops in Jaipur and Jodhpur have been brought down from 453 to 250 and the license fee has been increased from Rs 3.8 lacs to 7.5 lacs. Similar changes have been observed in other places where the number of shops have been brought down by almost half and the license fee has almost been doubled.However, for country liquor no such changes have been incorporated.

There is also a provision for additional 20% VAT on IMFL/FL. However, it is not clear as to at which stage would this additional duty be levied.

Apart from the above the License fee for On Premise has also been increased by almost 200% to 100%. 30th January has also been declared as a dry day. The timings of the retail shops have also been fixed from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.