Excise minister creates tipsy situation in city

Although the excise duty on alcohol was hiked from April 1, Renukacharya announced it again yesterday creating confusion among consumers

Excise minister creates tipsy situation in city

Although the excise duty on alcohol was hiked from April 1, Renukacharya announced it again yesterday creating confusion among consumers

Excise Minister Renukacharya put wine merchants in tight spot by announcing a hike in liquor rates yesterday, although that order was already in effect from April 1. This created a tizzy with consumers assuming that liquor outlets had been charging the hiked rate even before the order was passed and demanded that they be returned the difference that had paid from April 1 onwards.

Representation pic

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who also holds finance portfolio, had proposed a hike in excise duty from 10 per cent to 20 per cent across all 17 slabs in his budget presented in the assembly on February 24. Also, the new rates have been in effect from the first of this month. While Renukacharya was just reiterating the same in a press conference yesterday, it has created confusion among consumers and they think that they have been duped.

But why?
"What was he thinking when he made this announcement? We have already implemented the price hike according to the government notification issued earlier," said Vangiri Gowda, president of Bangalore Wine Merchants Association.

"This has complicated things and consumers are raising objections against liquor outlet owners. Who will be held responsible for any untoward incidents at these stores?" he questioned. Though no unpleasant incidents were reported so far, owners of liquor outlets had a difficult time convincing consumers.

"Everyone knows how wine shop owners cheat people. It appears that they were united in hiking the rates and got wind of the hike even before the minister announced it. What is wrong in demanding our money back?" asked Muniraju, a regular customer of a wine store in Koramangala.

Seeking to clear the air, Renukacharya, said, "I never intended to create confusion. People were asking me about the new rates wherever I went. I just thought it would be resolved if I made an official announcement. I had said in the press conference that the new rates are implemented from April 1, and if they want I can repeat it again today."

Did you know?
Excise duty on alcohol had been increased from 10 per cent to 20 per cent across all 17 slabs from April 1

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