4th hike in 2 years: Beer, Indian-made liquor prices up 5% in Karnataka from today

BENGALURU: For the fourth time in two years, the Karnataka govt has increased prices of beer and lower-range IML (Indian-made liquor) effective Thursday.

This follows a 5% additional excise duty (AED) imposed by the state govt, according to a notification issued Tuesday. The notification said AED on beer has been increased from 195% to 200%.

The govt had planned to hike AED by 10%, but downscaled it after Federation of Wine Merchants Association Karnataka made a strong appeal against repeated steep hikes in liquor prices.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Karnataka hikes beer and low-range liquor prices for the 4th time in 2 years.
• State imposes a 5% additional excise duty, effective from Thursday.
• AED on beer raised from 195% to 200%, says official notification.
• Govt initially planned a 10% hike but scaled it down after appeals.
• Wine Merchants Association opposed repeated liquor price increases.