Page 6 - Alcohol

Summer cheer for beer firm United Breweries as margins remain stable

Cheaper raw material prices and growth in premium segment expected to help company

Centre asserts in SC its right to levy excise duty on industrial alcohol

Asserting its right to regulate industrial alcohol, the Centre told the Supreme Court on Thursday that legislative power to levy excise duty on alcohol not fit for human consumption but meant for industrial use lies exclusively with Parliament. Arguing before a nine-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, Attorney General R Venkataramani submitted that a "conscious decision" was taken to treat alcoholic liquors fit for human consumption and alcoholic liquors not fit for human consumption separately, with the former falling within the domain of provincial legislatures and the latter within the ambit of the federal legislature. "It is submitted that the legislative power in relation to levy excise duty upon non-potable liquor is exclusively with the Parliament, and upon potable liquor is exclusively with the Legislatures of the States," Venkataramani told the bench, also comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy, Abhay S Oka, B V Nagarathna, J B Pardiwala, Manoj ...

'Alcohol with methanol used for making spurious liquor in Sangrur tragedy'

Alcohol containing methanol content was used for making spurious liquor which left 20 people dead in Punjab's Sangrur district, police said on Saturday. Police have arrested eight out of the 10 identified accused in connection with the Sangrur hooch tragedy, they said. The death toll due to the suspected consumption of spurious liquor in Sangrur district has climbed to 20, with six more people succumbing during treatment, officials on Saturday said. Eleven people are undergoing treatment at Patiala's Rajindra Hospital and six at the Civil Hospital in Sangrur. The officials said the casualties have been reported from Gujran, Tibbi Ravidaspura and Dhandoli Khurd villages in Dirba and Sunam blocks. A four-member special investigation team (SIT), led by Additional Director General of Police Gurinder Singh Dhillon, was set up on Saturday in connection with the incident. Addressing the media here, ADGP Dhillon said three FIRs have been lodged so far in connection with this incident. O

Alcobev industry seek clarity on brand extension vs surrogate ads

List of products sold under the same brand name as alcobev for the past three years, including details of states where they were marketed

DGCA changes rules, mandates alcohol test for 25% airport employees

A total of 189 people working at 59 Indian airports were found drunk on duty in the first half of 2023, marking a 32 percent year-on-year increase, as per the data from DGCA

Rationalise high excise duties on alcohol beverages: Iswai to state govts

ISWAI, which represents the imported premium portfolio of spirits and wine brands in India, on Monday urged state governments to rationalise high excise duties. The International Spirits & Wines Association of India (ISWAI) said manufacturers of alcohol beverages (Alco-Bev) are facing shrinking margins due to high discriminatory taxes, along with soaring inflation and import tariffs. It has urged regulators to consider an "inflation-linked model that will bring much-needed transparency and a consistent approach to state supplier pricing", said a statement from ISWAI. In some states, excise duties account for 70-80 per cent of the Maximum Retail Price (MRP), it said, adding that inflation is putting additional pressure on the industry. "As inflation rates rise in the country, the Alco-Bev sector faces significant challenges due to escalating costs of production, transportation, raw materials, and exorbitant import duties. This combination poses a dire threat to the industry's ...

Pernod Ricard's H1FY24 sales in Indian mkt up 4%, expects high growth in H2

French spirit maker Pernod Ricard has reported a 4 per growth in sales in the Indian market during the first half of the current financial year. The company, which follows July to June fiscal year, has witnessed a "strong market demand for spirits" in India, according to the latest earnings statement from Pernod Ricard. Moreover, a "strong growth" is expected in the second half (January to June 24) from India, which is the second largest market globally for Pernod Ricard after the US. Its international brands Jameson, Absolut and The Glenlivet reported a "very strong growth" in the Indian market during the period, the company said. Besides, its Indian whisky portfolio Seagram's which includes IMFL (Indian-made foreign liquor) brands such as Blenders Pride, Imperial Blue and Royal Stag also reported over 4 per cent growth in sales, Pernod Ricard added. The company had an "acceleration in Q2 net sales against easing comparables", according to the earnings statement. Globally in the

Sula Vineyards Q3 results: Profit up 9% at Rs 42.98 cr on strong demand

The Mumbai-headquartered company said its consolidated net profit rose to Rs 42,98 crore ($5.2 million) from Rs 39.28 million rupees year ago

Desi single malts raise the bar, pour stiff challenge to foreign peers

India's optimal weather conditions serve as a catalyst, imparting a distinctive flavour profile

Alcoholic beverages to cost more in Tamil Nadu with effect from February 1

The state-run liquor monolith Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) on Monday announced an increase in the price of all varieties of liquor, ranging from Rs 10 to Rs 80, with effect from February 1. While a 650 ml bottle of beer will cost Rs 10 more, 180 ml (known popularly as quarter) of 'ordinary' and 'medium' range of brandy, whiskey and rum will be dearer by Rs 10 and consumers have to shell out Rs 20 more for the 'premium' range, an official release said. As per the revised schedule, alcoholic drinks, sold in higher quantities will accordingly cost more.

Kerala criticises Centre's fiscal approach, notes low alcohol tax revenue

The Kerala Government on Thursday criticised the BJP-led Centre's fiscal approach towards the state, noting that the state had to seek a solution to the financial impasse in the Supreme Court. The state government also clarified that only 3.7 per cent of Kerala's own tax revenue comes from alcohol, which is one of the lowest percentages among all states, contrasting with those where it can be as high as 22 per cent. These were part of the customary policy address which was presented before the State Assembly by Governor Arif Mohammed Khan. Khan swiftly concluded the address by reading out only its final paragraph. "My Government places the considered opinion before the Union Government that Kerala should be ensured it's well deserved share in the distribution of taxes. My Government views with concern the holding back of eligible grants and share of assistance in Centrally Sponsored Schemes. "My Government is put to added liquidity stress because of the retrospective cut in borrowi

Budget 2024-25: Bringing high spirits home on alcobev players' wish list

The Perfect Pour, a Mumbai-based wine and spirits consulting firm, urges the Budget to focus on a unified ecosystem, standardised pricing, and GST

Shares of Sula Vineyards soars 20% extending two day gains to 33.6%

Maharashtra accounts for about half of Sula's revenues and close to 60 per cent of its operating profit

Diageo India focuses on value over volumes business, says CIO Damodaran

Vikram Damodaran, Chief Innovation Officer (CIO), Diageo India, talks about the company's growth strategy and expansion plans, in an interview with Ayushman Baruah and Aneeka Chatterjee in Bengaluru

Indian alcohol cos seek elimination of 'non-tariff barriers' in EU markets

For a beverage to be considered "whisky" in the EU, it has to be at least three years or more old. For "brandy", this time is one year

Alcohol body seeks better market access for Indian products in EU markets

The CIABC has demanded that the EU should remove the non-tariff barriers which prevent the vast majority of Indian products from being sold in the EU

Alcohol association welcomes Manipur's move to lift prohibition on liquor

Seeks similar action from Bihar government to help end hooch tragedies and help state earn Rs 10,000 cr

States need to GI-tag food, beverages for better prices overseas: Industry

"The key strategic issue is to consider some number of GI-tagged products in the export basket for the state of West Bengal," Kapoor said

Party with alcohol held at Pak's Kartapur Gurudwara; action sought

Moreover, Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib Giani Harpreet Singh also called the incident as "unfortunate" and asked the Pakistan government to take strict action against the perpetrators

TMS Ep557: Human error in railways, alcobev sector, Ethics Committee & more

How can railways eliminate human error? Why are Indian liquor firms in high spirits? What do Q2 results reveal about India Inc's health? What is the Parliament's Ethics Committee? All answers here