The Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) has written to the Delhi Government, requesting that restrictions in the upcoming excise policy for 2023-24 that purportedly discriminate against Indian-made goods and favour imports be removed.
The CIABC proposed measures for inclusion in the upcoming excise policy for the next fiscal year.
While the CIABC urged for improvements in ease of doing business norms, the simplification of the new product launch process, and the digitization of all operational processes.
These are regulatory oddities from a time when India was considered a low-quality manufacturer.
The licence price for imported whisky is Rs 50,000 per year, but if the same product is created in India, the charge rises to at least Rs 25 lakh. The CIABC said that the November 2021 exercise policy solved these difficulties, but with its withdrawal, the topic is back on the table.
They stated that their recommendations address initiatives needed to modernise commerce, enhance consumer experience, convenience of doing business, and raise government tax collections.
Every year, it approaches state governments with proposals to improve alcohol regulation for the benefit of all stakeholders. As the national capital, Delhi has unique requirements, and CIABC tailors its suggestions to best meet those demands, according to Vinod Giri, Director General of CIABC.
The CIABC has also suggested that private retail shops be opened around the city, that airport shops be reopened, that the drinking age be reduced to 21, and that retail scheduling and the amount of dry days be brought in line with neighbouring states.
In addition to making ideas for the forthcoming excise policy, the CIABC requested resolution to its request for authorization to sell supplies left over at wholesale owing to numerous changes in the excise policy between 2021-22 and 2022-23, as well as clearance of previous outstanding payments to firms.
