Rajasthan mulls to hike cow cess on liquor

The Rajasthan government is thinking of an increase in the cow protection cess imposed on liquor in the state from 20 percent to 25 percent. This increase in cess aims to fund an extension of the subsidy period for cattle feed in gaushalas (cow shelters) from nine months to a full year. Currently, gaushalas in the state receive a nine-month subsidy, but there have been demands from MLAs of both the governing and opposition parties to extend this period.

Following the actualisation of the under consideration cess, liquor prices in Rajasthan are expected to increase. 

On 23^rd  July 2018, the then state government had notified that cow protection surcharge at the rate of 20 percent shall be levied and collected on the amount of tax, or any sum in lieu of tax, payable on the sale of foreign liquor, Indian-made foreign liquor, country liquor and beer sold by dealers registered under the provisions of the Rajasthan Value Added Tax Act, 2003.