Liquor prices go up

 Liquor prices have gone up in the state with the increase in various slabs of additional excise duty, announced in the state budget proposals for 2017-18, coming into effect.

While lower-end brands have started to cost more by 6%, the effective hike ranges between 15 and 21% for high-end brands. The liquor companies are sending their new rate charts to Karnataka State Beverages Corporation through the Excise Department. The least hike is Rs 2.59 for a 180 ml bottle.

The hike on brands Raja Whiskey, Original Choice, Silver Cup, Haywards, which account for around 65% of total liquor sales in the state, is Rs 3.19 (180 ml bottle).

Brands like Khoday’s Rum, Old Tavern Whiskey are costing more by Rs 6.37 for a 180 ml bottle. For premium spirits which fall in the 17th slab, the hike is steep, starting from Rs 400 onwards.