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

Representative Picture

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to the figure in the same month last year, the CIABC director general cited the example of Delhi government which has withdrawn the cess of 70 per cent and imposed five per cent increase in VAT.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