Government made Rs 12,000 crore as state drinks up

Liquor consumption up by 15 per cent in state

With the increase in alcohol consumption in the state, the government’s excise revenue has also gone up. There is an increase in liquor sale by 15 per cent. As a result, the state is expecting to collect Rs 12,000 crore till March, which is higher than the estimated revenue.

“The government had collected Rs 10,537 crore last year and had kept a target of Rs 11,050 crore this year. With a rise in sale of the liquor despite increased taxes, the overall revenue is going to be up by 15 per cent,” an official from the excise department said.

In the month of December alone, the revenue from liquor sales was at Rs 250 crore. The Christmas vacation and New Year’s parties have added to the government’s revenue.

“The average revenue received by the Maharashtra government from liquor sale is Rs 750 to 800 crore per month, which can sometimes go up to Rs 1,000 crore. This year, the liquor consumption has gone up by 15 per cent when compared to last year,” the official said.

The data available with excise department show that country liquor sale was 20.97 crore litres between April 2013 and November 2013, while this year during the same period it was 22.08 crore litres. Between April 2013 and November 2013, 10.31 crore litres Indian Made Foreign Liquor was sold and this year 11.15 crore litres of the same was sold. Also during the same period, beer sale was 20.53 crore litres last year and 21.78 crore litres this year.