Sobering Thoughts Pay More for Liquor in Goa

The government of Goa has decided to hike excise duties and fees on the sale of all kinds of liquor, including the state&rsquos signature local drink feni, by 20 per cent to 50 per cent, according to media reports.

The announcement was made during the presentation of the annual state budget. The hike in duties and fees, to be implemented from April 1 this year, is expected to augment the state exchequer.

According to media reports, Goa collected Rs 477.67 crore as excise revenue during the financial year 2018-19, up 16.5 per cent over the previous year. The hike this year is expected to garner an additional excise revenue of Rs 100 crore, up by nearly 25 per cent.

The government has also proposed to revise the licence fee for bars, restaurants, stores and supermarkets selling booze. For example, bars without AC, and in Panaji coastal village, will have to pay Rs 15,000 upto 50 sqkm of area and an additional Rs 2,000 for every extra 10 sq km. Earlier, they were paying only Rs 15,000.

Expecting the liquor business to be affected by the government&rsquos decision, a delegation of the All Goa Liquor Vendors' Association called on the Goa chief minister to discuss the rate hikes.

According to latest media reports, the government is mulling over the proposal to hike taxes and may come up with revised rates, including keeping feni out of the tax net.

Talking to the media, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the government proposes to introduce a unique hologram on each bottle which would authenticate the liquor.