The Odisha government is going to attract investors in the liquor manufacturing sector with an aim to export the products from the state. The state’s excise policy for 2016-17 is aimed at attracting investments for setting up of new brewery, distillery and micro-brewery in the state. Besides, the policy encourages export of beer and IMFL from the state.
Sources in the government told FE that the policy aimed at rationalising the licence fee for existing breweries, distilleries and bottling plants to provide them a level-playing field.
The new excise policy, which will come into effect from April 1, 2016, also seeks to stabilise MRP of liquor trade in the state.
The policy facilitates the sale of beer in the state, said the sources, adding that the sale of beer in the state dipped by over 40% during April-January 2016 as compared to the corresponding period in the previous year due to the opposition of the beer supplier to the provisions of the Excise Policy 2015-16.
In order to ensure that volume of beer sale increases, corrective measures have been taken in the new policy. To make Beer more affordable, the MRP of beer, which was found to be slightly higher than the neighbouring states, has been rationalised, the sources said.
In the new policy, relief to the IMFL off-shops and country spirit (CS) shops has been given by lowering the MGQ (minimum guarantee quota) for 2016-17. This would minimise the shortfall of off-take from Odisha State Beverages Corporation (OSBC) depots, said the sources.
However, to discourage the general public from drinking, the policy has upwardly revised the MRP of IMFL and CS.