Odisha

Bring Down COVID Fee On Liquor, Companies Appeal To Odisha CM

By
OB Bureau

Bhubaneswar: With liquor sales going down drastically in Odisha, the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) has appealed to the state government to reduce the Special COVID-19 fee on liquor and allow counter sale.

In a representation to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the CIABC said the COVID fee, which has increased consumer prices by 50 per cent, has also pulled down the government revenue.

“We have submitted a representation to the chief minister stating that as a responsible industry body, we also work towards collective interests of other important stakeholders, including the Government, traders, society and the consumers,” said CIABC director general Vinod Giri.

He said as the Government had permitted only home delivery of liquor and excise licensee was not allowed across the counter, a large number of consumers are not buying liquor.

Giri further pointed out that the fall in IMFL sales has led to an increase in the consumption of illicit liquor thereby posing serious health risks. Besides, closure of retail shops has put the livelihood of around 50,000 people, associated with the distribution and sales of liquor, under threat, he added.

Stating that liquor sales in May have declined by 87 per cent compared to the figure in the same month last year, the CIABC director general cited the example of Delhi government which has withdrawn the cess of 70 per cent and imposed five per cent increase in VAT.

Also Read: Delhi Govt Withdraws ‘Special Corona Fee’ On Liquor, New Prices From June 10

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

New Artist To Play King Kansa Role During Dhanu Yatra In Odisha’s Bargarh

Bargarh: A new artist will be selected to play the mythological character King Kansa during…

November 22, 2024

Shah Rukh’s Daughter Suhana Khan Brutally Trolled For Vivo Ad [Watch]

Mumbai: Suhana Khan will be making her Bollywood debut with ‘King’ along with her superstar…

November 22, 2024

Badshah Comes Out In Support Of Diljit Dosanjh In Alcohol Controversy

New Delhi: After Diljit Dosanjh called out the double standards of Telangana government for banning…

November 22, 2024

World War 3 Has Begun, Says Ukraine’s Former Military Chief

New Delhi: Recent actions and counter-actions in the Russia-Ukraine conflict have pushed the world to the…

November 22, 2024

3 Arrested With Fake IPS Officers’ Uniforms, Identity Cards In Odisha’s Balangir

Balangir: Three persons were arrested and fake IPS officers’ uniforms along with fake identity cards…

November 22, 2024

‘I Want To Talk’: Twitterati Lauds Abhishek Bachchan, Say He Is Better Than Amitabh

Mumbai: Abhishek Bachchan’s highly-anticipated film ‘I Want To Talk’ released in theatres on Friday, and the…

November 22, 2024

Cash-For-Vote Row: BJP Leader’s Defamation Notice Against Rahul Gandhi, Kharge

New Delhi: Accused of giving cash to secure votes ahead of election day in Maharashtra,…

November 22, 2024

CM Mohan Majhi Attends ‘Odisha State Day’ Celebrations At IITF In Delhi

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi attended the ‘Odisha State Day Celebrations’ at the 43rd…

November 22, 2024