The Excise Department’s plan to introduce a low-cost liquor bottle has been halted indefinitely due to strong opposition from various groups and concerns over its impact on government revenue.
The project aimed to discourage illegal liquor consumption by introducing a 180ml bottle with reduced alcohol content. However, internal discussions within the Excise Department raised multiple challenges, including the potential loss of tax revenue, the availability of similar-sized bottles in the market at Rs. 550-600, and the lack of liquor outlets in the low-income areas where the product was intended to be sold.
Despite initial plans to launch the bottle before the April New Year, the project faced growing resistance. During a recent discussion between the President and Excise Department officials, the President reportedly expressed disapproval, leading to the project being shelved indefinitely.
