Himachal regulates overcharging on liquor

In response to complaints against overcharging by liquor vendors in the state, the Himachal Pradesh government has introduced strict measures to address complaints of liquor vendors overcharging customers. During a recent state cabinet meeting held in Shimla, significant decisions were made to enforce fair pricing in the sale of liquor.

Under the new regulations, vendors in the mountainous state found guilty of overcharging will face escalating fines: Rs 15,000 for the first complaint, Rs 25,000 for the second, Rs 50,000 for the third, and Rs 1 lakh for the fourth complaint. Should a fifth complaint be lodged, the liquor vend operator’s license will be revoked.

Additionally, the Himachal Pradesh government has implemented a revised excise policy where it has mandated that liquor be sold at the minimum support price (MSP). According to this policy, the maximum permissible markup over the listed price on the bottle should be 30 percent. Consumers are encouraged to report any instance of overcharging to the authorities.