Liquor revenue declines by Rs 1,218 crore

Aurangabad, Dec 31:

Covid-19 has been found to have a major impact on all sectors including the state''s highest-paying liquor industry. Last year, the state excise department had collected Rs 3,056 crore from liquor companies and liquor sales in Aurangabad. This year''s revenue has decreased by Rs 1, 218 crore.

In the last eight months, revenue of Rs 1,837 crore has been received. As a result, there has been a huge deficit of up to 40 per cent this year''s collection. Corona caused the wine companies to shut down for two to three months. This has affected billions of rupees in revenue. The companies started production between June and July. However, they had not started at full capacity. Alcohol sales were also closed for more than six months. Revenue has increased since the sales started. However, this has caused a major impact on revenue collection. During the April-November, the state excise department has seen a 40 per cent shortfall in revenue. The officials were expecting good revenue generation during Christmas and New year. However, the night curfew has been imposed again which has caused the sales of liquor to remain low. Superintendent, of the state excise department, Sudhakar Kadam said, "Corona has affected 40 per cent of revenue this year as compared to last year. There is now a possibility of a new virus. The government may further put more restrictions of necessary. This might affect the sale of liquor further."