Thiruvananthapuram: The Beverages Corporation (BEVCO) in Kerala has sought the Government’s permission to increase the liquor rates in the State.
A recommendation, seeking to increase the liquor rates by 7 per cent, has been submitted before the State Government by the Excise Department to effect the proposed rise.
The BEVCO’s move is to hike the base price by 7 per cent so as to increase the rate paid to the liquor manufacturers. The Excise Department has already submitted a recommendation to the Government seeking the rise. If the State government approves the recommendation, the prices of liquor in Kerala would go up by up to Rs 100 on an average.
The liquor companies have been demanding the BEVCO to effect a rise in the payments to the manufacturers. It was 4 years ago that the BEVCO increased the rate given to the manufacturers. Though the companies had been demanding the rise many times since then, the State Government had not budged. Owing to this, the companies had earlier reduced the stock given to the BEVCO.
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Now, the companies have informed the BEVCO, yet again, that they can not move any further incurring a loss. Following this, the BEVCO has approached the State Government seeking to raise the prices.
The State Cabinet, which is to meet on Wednesday, is expected to discuss the recommendation by the Excise department to increase liquor base price.
