Neighbour's Envy, Owner's Pride? 1-Bottle Rule Irks NCR Residents

Those Living In Gzb, Noida Unable To Benefit From Cheaper Liquor In Delhi

- Atul.Mathur

New Delhi: Pharmacist Ajit Chaudhary has been visiting Delhi’s Bhagirath Palace, known for its wholesale medicine business, twice a week for more than two decades to buy stocks for his store in a busy sector in Noida. On his way back, he often buys beer and whiskey from a Delhi store for his personal consumption. Ever since Delhi began offering discounts on liquor, Chaudhary’s purchases have increased. But the recent order by the Noida excise department that anyone crossing the border with more than one unsealed bottle of liquor would be prosecuted is a big downer for Chaudhary.

“I have been buying 2-3 bottles of liquor and a carton of beer every month from Delhi for many years. This new rule stumps me. What is the problem if I buy liquor here?” asked Chaudhary.

Chaudhary should realise that, like petroleum products, liquor is currently excluded from the Good and Services Tax (GST) ambit, which means states are free to decide their own tax structure on liquor. The neighbouring states of Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, therefore, have different tax rates on liquor, making it slightly cheaper or costlier than in-state or the other.