States That Sell Cheap Liquor vs Expensive: Exploring Options As Alcohol Prices Rise In Maharashtra
The Maharashtra government has introduced a new liquor policy featuring significant hikes in excise duties, aiming to generate an additional ₹14,000 crore in annual revenue. As part of the revised policy, the excise duty on Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) has increased from three times the manufacturing cost to 4.5 times, capped at ₹260 per bulk litre. Meanwhile, the duty on country liquor has gone up from ₹180 to ₹205 per proof litre.
As a result of the revised excise duties, liquor prices across Maharashtra are set to rise significantly. A 180 ml bottle of country liquor will now cost at least ₹80, up from the earlier range of ₹60 to ₹70. Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) will be priced at ₹205, marking a sharp jump from the previous range of ₹115 to ₹130. Premium foreign liquor will also see a steep hike, with prices expected to reach ₹360, up from ₹210 earlier.
The government has also launched a new category called Maharashtra Made Liquor (MML). This includes grain-based spirits made only by local manufacturers. The goal is to encourage regional production.
States Where You Can Get Cheap Liquor
According to the International Spirits and Wine Association of India, Goa continues to be the most affordable state for alcohol, largely due to its modest 49% liquor tax. Delhi follows with a 62% tax, while Haryana levies just 47%. However, despite Haryana's lower tax rate, liquor prices there are often higher than in Goa due to elevated maximum retail prices (MRPs). A similar situation plays out in Delhi, where, even with a higher tax rate, alcohol remains more affordable than in several other Indian states.
Among other states, Karnataka currently has the highest liquor tax in the country at 83 per cent, which makes it the most expensive place to buy alcohol. Rajasthan follows with a 69 per cent tax. Telangana imposes a tax of 68 per cent and Uttar Pradesh 66 per cent.
According to a study by the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP), Telangana leads all Indian states in alcohol spending, with an average annual per capita expenditure of ₹1,623 on alcoholic beverages.
Andhra Pradesh ranks second, with individuals spending an average of ₹1,306 per year, followed closely by Punjab, where the per capita liquor spend stands at ₹1,245. This spending metric is derived by dividing a state's total alcohol expenditure by its population, offering a clear picture of average consumption habits.
No Liquor In Bihar, Gujarat: How Successful Is The Ban
Bihar and Gujarat are the two Indian states where the sale and consumption of alcohol are completely prohibited. Gujarat has upheld this ban since May 1, 1960, while Bihar implemented its liquor prohibition in 2016. The primary objective behind these bans was to curb the social harms linked to alcohol, such as domestic violence, family disputes, and financial strain on households. Policymakers believed that reducing access to alcohol would enhance community well-being, especially for women and low-income families.
Supporters of the bans argue that they have helped lower alcohol-related health issues and encouraged families to redirect spending toward food, education, and healthcare.
However, the bans have also presented significant challenges. A thriving black market has emerged, with bootlegging operations selling alcohol at inflated prices. This has given rise to illegal drinking spots and made enforcement more difficult. An even more serious consequence is the spread of spurious liquor, which has led to fatal hooch tragedies in both states, highlighting the public health risks associated with unregulated alcohol.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
7 minutes ago
- Time of India
India's digital identity adoption surges amid rising trust, AI integration: Report
New Delhi, As India's digital ecosystem expands at an unprecedented pace, Indian consumers are rapidly embracing new-age identity technologies while balancing convenience with security concerns, a new report said on Wednesday. The data compiled by Okta highlights that more than 30 per cent of Indian users log into ten or more personal online accounts every month -- showcasing the country's accelerating digital footprint. Amid this growth, Indian consumers are also displaying a greater readiness to adopt biometrics and AI-driven services compared to global peers. Despite the growing array of authentication methods, passwords remain the most convenient option for 82 per cent of Indians. However, biometrics are steadily gaining traction, with 55 per cent using fingerprint authentication and 35 per cent relying on Face ID for smoother logins. "Despite the new options, 82 per cent of Indians still find passwords to be the most convenient way to verify their identity," the report said. "More than half of the population (54 per cent) find it convenient to use a government ID like Aadhaar for verification purposes, followed by SMS/voice calls (44 per cent)," it added. Security perceptions remain high for passwords (79 per cent), SMS authentication (74 per cent), and fingerprints. However, risky practices persist -- 1 in 5 Indians reuse the same password across all personal accounts. India's growing trust in digital platforms is also noteworthy. As many as 67 per cent of Indian respondents trust businesses to protect their data, well above the global average of 50 per cent. This trust extends to key sectors -- banks (79 per cent), tech firms (73 per cent), government agencies (70 per cent), and online retailers (69 per cent). However, digital vigilance is rising too, with 81 per cent of Indians expressing concern about identity fraud -- significantly higher than the global average of 63 per cent. The report, based on a global survey of 6,750 consumers (including 750 from India), also found that Indians are more open to engaging with enterprise AI agents. While 65 per cent appreciate the speed and 24/7 support of AI, as many as 76 per cent still prefer human interaction. Interestingly, 64 per cent of Indians are willing to share health data with AI agents, compared to 32 per cent globally, and 49 per cent are comfortable sharing financial data, compared to 27 per cent globally. "AI is no longer a future concept -- it is embedded in the way we live, work, and connect," said Shakeel Khan, Regional Vice President and Country Manager, Okta India. Ben Goodman, SVP & GM, Asia Pacific & Japan at Okta, added, "In Asia Pacific, trust has become the true currency of digital engagement. From logins to AI agents, consumers want experiences that are seamless, secure, and respectful of their data."
Mint
14 minutes ago
- Mint
Indian economy to grow 6.4-6.7% in FY26 amid geopolitical risks, says CII President, calls for 3-tier GST structure
The Indian economy is estimated to grow 6.4-6.7% in the current financial year due to strong domestic demand amid risks posed by geopolitical uncertainty, the newly appointed CII President Rajiv Memani said during a press conference on Thursday. He further advocated for a three-tier goods and services tax (GST) rate structure, with essential goods attracting 5 per cent, luxury and sin goods at 28%, and the rest of the items in the 12-18% range. The current GST system is a four-tier tax structure with 5%, 12%, 18% and 28% slabs. Luxury and demerit goods fall under the highest slab of 28%, while packed food and essential items are charged the lowest 5% slab. Speaking on India's growth, Memani said that factors such as a good monsoon forecast, liquidity boost due to the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) cash reserve ratio (CRR) cut, and interest rate reduction will help in the economic growth of the country. He highlighted risks for the Indian economy and said, 'a lot of these relate to external trade risk. I think a lot of them have been factored in, and also there are some upside. So hopefully they should get balanced out... From a CII standpoint, we're looking at 6.4-6.7 per cent growth.' However, Memani assured that these risks to growth are evenly balanced, and geopolitical uncertainty poses downside risks whereas strong domestic demand is an upside. According to the RBI forecast, the economy is estimated to grow 6.5% in FY26. In June, the central bank slashed the CRR by 100 basis points, which is expected to boost liquidity by bringing ₹ 2.5 lakh crore to the banking system. Meanwhile, the benchmark interest rate was cut 50 basis points to 5.5 per cent. Memani emphasised that GST requires rate rationalisation. 'Under GST 2.0, we have called for rate rationalisation, especially on products that are consumed by lower-income segments. Several products taxed at 28 per cent, including cement, should also be reduced... we believe this will boost economic activity,' he said. Memani also urged simplifying the GST framework and emphasised the importance of building a national consensus on goods such as petroleum, electricity, real estate, and potable alcohol in GST. He further mentioned that India needs to capitalise on the current opportunities, 'it will need to undertake more economic reforms, win the AI race and possible impact on jobs, grow high-end and employment intensive manufacturing and continuing focus on Ease of Doing Business.'
Time of India
15 minutes ago
- Time of India
BMW reports 10% jump in India sales to 7,774 units during January-June
German premium car maker BMW group on Thursday reported a 10 per cent jump in total sales in India at 7,774 units in the January-June period of 2025 over the same period year-ago, The Group had sold 7,081 units of BMW and Mini brands of cars in India in the first of CY 2024. Besides, the company also retailed 2,569 Motorrad brand of motorcycles during the period under review. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Read About How Data Loggers Help in Cold Storage Data Loggers Undo The company also said it continued its leadership position in the luxury electric vehicle sales in India with a massive 234 per cent year-on-year growth in volumes at 1,322 units of BMW and MINI EVs sold during the first half of the current calendar year. The company sold 7,774 BMW and MINI cars and 2,569 motorcycles during the January-June period of 2025. Of this, BMW sold 7,477 units and MINI 297 units, it said in a statement. Live Events "We are on a fast track, posting over 10 per cent growth despite a challenging environment as we continue to unfold new opportunities in the luxury segment," said Vikram Pawah, President and CEO at BMW Group India . With the company's thrust on electric mobility, BMW Group India witnessed a phenomenal 234 per cent growth in EV sales, he added. "Among SAVs (sports activity vehicles) as well as sedans, our long wheelbase luxury models are in great demand," Pawah said. The BMW iX1 Long Wheelbase was the highest-selling electric car during this period, followed by the flagship BMW i7, the company said, adding that electric cars now hold 18 per cent share in total sales of BMW Group India. The long wheelbase BMW models saw 159 per cent growth in the first half of the year. This includes the BMW 7 Series, 5 Series, and 3 Series, as well as BMW iX1. BMW long wheelbase models account for 47 per cent share in total sales, it said, adding that strategically positioning these models across its portfolio, BMW Group India proactively ascertained customers' needs and provided the ideal luxury product in each segment. The BMW 5 Series was the highest-selling BMW sedan during H1, with close to 20 per cent share in sales. Meanwhile, the BMW 3 Series retained the class-leading position in the Indian premium sedan segment, the company said. It also said its 7 Series and i7 models are leading in their respective segments while the X7 has crossed over 5,000 deliveries since launch. According to the company, its SAVs recorded a double-digit growth of 17 per cent in H1 2025. Compared to 56 per cent in Q1, their share in sales increased to 59 per cent in Q2, BMW Group said, adding that the X1 model was the highest selling SAV not just for BMW (over 30 per cent share in sales), but in the Indian premium compact segment. The MINI brand of cars delivered 297 units in H1, 2025. With Mini Cooper S as the highest-selling model during the period, seeing a growth of over 60 per cent as compared to H1 2024. Both Cooper S and the Countryman E models commanded almost equal share in sales, it said. BMW Motorrad delivered 2,569 motorcycles in H1 2025. The BMW G 310 RR was the most popular smart-cc bike, it said and added that in the GS adventure world, the BMW 900 GS / GSA and the BMW 1300 GS / GSA models were the best-selling models.
