Liquor associations warn against proposed tax hikes in West Bengal

Say it will lead to steep hike in prices which will hit sales, industry and govt revenues

The alcoholic beverage industry has urged Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee not to go ahead with the proposed excise policy as it will lead to a “steep” hike in liquor prices, killing the industry, leaving thousands of people jobless and hurting the government’s tax collections.

In a joint representation to the chief minister, two liquor associations – Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) and International Spirits and Wines Association of India (ISWAI) – said, “It is well known that the alcoholic beverage industry is facing an acute fall in sales volumes in West Bengal. Sales were down significantly because of the