Odisha slashes ‘Special COVID Fee’ on liquor by 35%

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government today reduced the ‘Special Covid Fee’ imposed on alcoholic beverages in the State.

In a statement, the government said the MRP of various FMFL/ IMFL/ Beer/ Wine/ RTD brands is hiked in the range of around 15% over the prevailing MRP of 2019-20 for most of the products with effective from July 10, 2020.

At present the increase of MRP is by approximately 50% for most of the alcoholic beverages (IMFL & Beer) compared to 2019-20.

The statement further said the brand wise revised MRP of the alcoholic beverages have been notified by OSBC and will be available in their website www.osbc.co.in.

The government has collected Rs 200 crore so far as “Special Covid Fee” from the sale of the alcoholic beverages.

The government said the decision to rationalize the rate of ‘Special COVID Fee’ has been taken considering the MRP of liquor prevailing in other states and specifically in the neighboring States and also to ensure that no non-duty paid liquor from outside the State enters Odisha due to price differential.

Notably, the government imposed the ‘Special COVID Fee’ on alcoholic beverages in May, 2020 over and above tax rates of 2020-21.