Liquor sales drops in Karnataka

Sales of liquor have decreased in Karnataka after the state government increased the additional excise duty (AED) on both beer and Indian-made liquor. Karnataka's Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah raised the AED on beer from 175 percent to 185 percent and increased the AED on IML by 20 percent across all slabs, in the budget on 7th July.

The Federation of Wine Merchants' Association, Karnataka, has released a statement claiming that sales and revenue from liquor have fallen significantly in the state during the first two weeks of August.

Hegde asserted that widespread sales of counterfeit spirits had been caused by the increase in the AED and that these sales would not have been possible without the backing of officials.