Ever walked into a liquor store in Maharashtra, checked the prices, and had to catch a second glance to see if they’re selling alcohol bottles or airline tickets? Well, we’ve all been there and experienced that! If purchasing your favorite alcohol in Maharashtra strains your budget and prompts you to reconsider your life choices, it may be wise to observe how other states are managing their alcohol pricing. Let’s know about 5 states where alcohol costs less than in Maharashtra!
The International Spirits and Wines Association of India conducted a study for Times Of India in 2023. This study analyzed the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) Index of major markets in India as well as the tax to MRP%. To put it in simpler terms, the study analyzed tax rates of different states and how much alcohol would cost in these respective states. Goa’s taxes stand at the lowest with only 49% when it comes to major markets while Karnataka has the highest with a whopping 83%. Based on that data, here are 5 states where alcohol costs less than in Maharashtra.
It's not surprising to find Goa on this list! After all, it boasts the lowest taxes and duties on alcohol in India, which has significantly boosted the economy of this charming state. Low alcohol prices have attracted millions of tourists to Goa each year for decades now and we don’t think that it is going to stop anytime soon! Goa’s also become a home base for many homegrown brands, thanks to good climate, relaxed state policies, and an accepting society (when it comes to alcohol consumption). Goa has a tax rate of 49% and Maharashtra stands at 71%. So, if alcohol were to cost INR 100 in Goa, the same would cost INR 226 in Maharashtra.
Next ranks Delhi – the national capital. The metropolitan region of Delhi is known for its generally competitive alcohol retail market and lenient taxation regime. Delhi has a tax rate of 62%, lower than Maharashtra's 71%. This allows retailers in Delhi to sell alcohol at lower prices compared to those in Maharashtra. Alcohol that would cost INR 100 in Goa would cost INR 134 in Delhi and a whopping INR 226 in Maharashtra! This makes Delhi only the second state behind Goa to have the cheapest liquor in the country.
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Haryana, Delhi’s neighbor towards its west, is also a state where you can get alcohol for cheap as compared to Maharashtra. The state’s excise policy, a tax rate of 47%, and the presence of Canteen Stores Department outlets. These factors work in unison to make alcohol cheaper than Maharashtra. Plus, Haryana’s new excise policy aims to fix prices to curb unfair competition and standardize retail prices across all Haryana outlets. For comparison, a bottle of alcohol that you’d get for INR 100 in Goa and INR 226 in Maharashtra would only cost INR 147 here, significantly lower than Maharashtra.
While alcohol in Uttar Pradesh is not as cheap as Goa, Haryana, or Delhi, it is definitely cheaper than that in Maharashtra thanks to a lower tax rate of 66%. Uttar Pradesh enjoys a new and improved excise policy as well as reduced export fees on beer and other kinds of liquor. The state is also trying to streamline categories of country-made liquor in an effort to highlight its tradition and heritage. And to put alcohol costs in perspective, you’d get an alcohol bottle for INR 197 in Uttar Pradesh if the same bottle would cost INR 100 in Goa and INR 226 in Maharashtra.
Also Read Delhi to Maintain Legal Drinking Age at 25 as New Excise Policy Takes Shape
The state of Rajasthan might be a dry one, but when it comes to alcohol, it certainly isn’t! Rajasthan is a key market in India for alcohol retail and many homegrown brands are based in this diversely vibrant state. The state government has a relaxed excise policy and low taxes on liquor and while these aren’t as low as Goa, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh, they are certainly lower than those in Maharashtra. The state’s tax rate stands at 69%, just slightly less than the 71% tax rate in Maharashtra. A bottle of alcohol that would cost INR 100 in Goa would cost INR 213 in Rajasthan and INR 226 in Maharashtra!
Here we have the list of ‘5 States where alcohol costs less than in Maharashtra’. Be it the serene beachscapes of Goa or the vibrant desert state of Rajasthan, these states are where you can get your booze fix for a lot cheaper. While we can only hope for booze to get cheaper in Maharashtra, until then you must visit one of these states – if you wish to save your wallet from a financial tragedy!
After Goa, the cheapest alcohol is available in Delhi. A bottle of alcohol that would cost INR 100 in Goa would cost INR 134 in Delhi, just slightly costlier.
When you compare Haryana and Goa, alcohol is significantly cheaper in Goa than in Haryana.
Karnataka bags the title for having the costliest liquor in the country. With an MRP Index of 513 and a Tax to MRP% of a whopping 83%, alcohol in Karnataka costs even more than in Maharashtra.
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