When it comes to alcohol, India has proved to be a profitable market for spirits, especially dark spirits like rum and whisky. The country has big consumption numbers to boast of, proving the domestic market’s lucrativeness in the global alcohol industry since independence. While we may not hold the majority of the sophisticated alcohol enthusiasts and have somewhat of an infamous reputation for drunk demeanour nationally, a new initiative by the Uttar Pradesh government seems to be a step towards incoming positive changes in the country.
The state government of UP has announced its plans of selling IMFL in aluminium cans from now onwards. Under its new excise policy, the state will be eliminating the use of glass bottles for Indian Made Foreign Liquor and have the manufacturers package the spirits in aluminium cans. The initiative makes UP the first state in the country to implement such codes in the alcohol manufacturing processes.
The policy aims at reducing alcohol companies’ losses that arise from the damage of glass bottles and as aluminium cans are cheaper than glass bottles, the policy will reduce the companies’ packaging costs as well. This will bring down the overall production costs of the alcohol producers in the state.
The policy will also put an end to the unethical and fraudulent practices of alcohol adulteration which has proved to be fatal in the past years. The initiative is also said to have an overall positive impact on the environment.
Not only this but the excise policy has also set guidelines for country-made liquor to be packaged and sold in tetra packs in Uttar Pradesh.
Do you think it’s a good initiative by the UP government? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
