Alcohol Set To Get Dearer In Maharashtra With Sharp Hike In Excise Duties — Check Details

Alcohol is set to get expensive in Maharashtra after the state government decided to raise excise duties. This applies to both retail purchase from a liquor store and consumption in a restaurant or bar.

The cabinet further granted approval to introduce a new category of grain-based foreign liquor called Maharashtra-made liquor. Only Maharashtra-based liquor manufacturers will be allowed to produce this, and they must register new brands for this category.

Also Read: Share price of Sula Vineyards Ltd., GM Breweries Ltd. Gains After Maharashtra Government Announced Excise Duty Hike On Liquor

The cabinet has also formed a secretary-level study group to explore ways to enhance the department's revenue. The group studied liquor manufacturing policies, licensing, excise duties and best practices from other states, submitting its recommendations and reports to the government.

Based on these, the cabinet approved a revised organisational structure for the Excise Department and the establishment of an integrated control room. This control room will use an AI-based system to monitor distilleries, liquor manufacturers and wholesalers across the state.

Under the revised structure, a new divisional office will be set up in Mumbai city and its suburbs. Additionally, one new superintendent office will be established in each of the six districts: Mumbai suburbs, Thane, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, and Ahilyanagar.

To strengthen the department, approval was granted for 1,223 posts, including 744 new positions and 479 supervisory roles.