Liquor set to be dearer in state by up to 9 pc

SHILLONG, May 25: In a setback for tipplers, prices of liquor in Meghalaya will go up by 8-9% depending on the brand with the state cabinet on Wednesday deciding to reclassify the IMFL brands for additional revenue.
“The government has decided that there will be re-classification of categories of brands for Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) through amendments of ad valorem, MVAT on liquor and Rule 44 (10) of the Meghalaya Bonded Warehouse Rules,” Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma told reporters after the cabinet meeting.
Citing similar price hikes in other states, especially in the neighbourhood, he said: “In the interest of ensuring more revenue, we have classified the different brands and also increased the price of some of them.”
“It means that alcohol will get slightly more expensive but at the end of the day, because there has been an increase in the rates in the neighbouring states, we will also end up earning more than Rs 25 crore in additional revenue,” he added.
He said the increase will depend on the brand and the prices will go up from 3-4% to 8-9%.