Alcoholic beverage industry urges Goa govt to defer Deposit Refund System

“The current timeline of DRS implementation is ‘unrealistic’ & could cost state exchequer over Rs 100 cr in excise revenue’

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Leading alcoholic beverage industry bodies have appealed to the Goa government to defer the implementation of the proposed Deposit Refund System (DRS) for liquor bottles and cans, citing supply chain concerns and potential revenue losses.

‘These industry bodies, which together account for a majority of branded alcoholic beverages sold in Goa, claimed the current timeline of DRS implementation is “unrealistic” and could cost the state exchequer over Rs 100 crore in excise revenue from beer and Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL).

Under the proposed environmental sustainability measure to improve recycling and reduce litter, the Goa government plans to introduce the DRS from April 2, 2026. It requires consumers to pay a refundable deposit on bottles and cans, which can be claimed back at designated recycling points upon return of the used packaging.