Liquor contractors boycott consultation meeting

Liquor contractors from UT Chandigarh skipped the consultation meeting that was organised by the UT’s excise and taxation department. Meeting was aimed to consult concerned stakeholders for their suggestions on Chandigarh’s excise policy, for the 2024-25 fiscal.

In a statement on boycotting the meeting and citing experiences from previously held such consultations, Chandigarh Wine Contractors’ Association said that the liquor contractors had been facing huge losses in the UT since the last two years. Association added that the contractors were not able to compete with the policy of the neighbouring state of Punjab. They feel that the Chandigarh's administration is not working towards improving the excise policy.

However, the meeting was attended by AB InBev, International Spirits and Wines Association of India, Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies, and others.

Increase in EDP (ex-distillery price), timely label approvals, increased timings for functioning of warehouses, reducing tax on beer and giving label approvals for a longer period were suggested during the meeting.