Bhubaneswar: The Foreign Made Foreign Liquor (FMFL) and wine have become cheaper in Odisha following reduction in the excise duty on these products in its Excise Policy for 2022-23.
As per the Excise Policy for 2022-23 of Odisha government, the Excise duty on FMFL has been reduced by 15 to 20 per cent and the Excise duty on wine also has been decreased by 10 to 15 per cent. However, excise duty on Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and beer has not been changed.
The decision to reduce the excise duty on FMFL and wine has been taken with an aim to reduce disparity in MRP with neighbouring states like Chhattisgarh and West Bengal. Several wine businessmen of Odisha preferred to purchase the FMFL and wine from these neighbouring states in view of cheaper price there due to which the exchequer of Odisha was incurring losses.
As per the Excise Policy for 2022-23, shop having the name of deities/ eminent personalities (living or dead) will not be granted license to sell liquor and wine in Odisha.
Though the FMFL and wine have become cheaper under the new Excise Policy, the license fee, minimum guaranteed quantity and application fee for manufacturers, suppliers and retailers have been increased nominally.
