Gujarat hikes fee for permit shops

In a move that will upset millions of liquor lovers in Gujarat whu but their quota from licensed shops, the Deputy Chief Minister and State Finance Minister Nitin Patel has announced a hike in the transportation fees and special fees on liquor. This will make the procuring of liquor costlier for permit liquor shops across Gujara.

The impact will be visible to permit holders after a week or 15 days, as the stock purchased in April reaches the counters. The old stock will not attract this hike.

The  permit liquor shop owners will have to pay more, as the newly imposed transport and special fees will now be applicable. Rough estimates based on the proposed increase in transportation fees and special fees on liquor and estimates provided by state prohibition department officials indicate that liquor prices will go up by Rs 56 to Rs 874, depending on the type of liquor.