AAP govt considers not raising excise duty on liquor

Liquor prices, across various segments, had been increased by 8-12% in 2014-15

Tipplers in Delhi have a reason to cheer, with the city government considering not increasing excise duty on liquor in the next financial year.

Government sources said there is no need to revise excise duty for 2016-17 as liquor prices, across various segments, which had been increased by 8-12% in 2014-15.

The AAP government had not increased excise duty on liquor last year, but raised license fee for different categories by around 20 to 30%.

"The government is contemplating not to increase excise duty for the next financial year as we don't see any need for revising the same. The existing system will be so upgraded that the revenue collection will increase," sources said.

They said a proposal will soon be prepared in this regard.

"The work on formulating new excise policy has started. The new policy will be tabled in Cabinet which will take a final decision in this regard," they said.

The city's excise department had last year submitted a proposal for bringing down the legal age for consumption of beer and wine from 25 years to 21 years, but it was struck down by the government.