It is with a deep sense of regret, that I announce the untimely increase of excise duty on beer. My heartfelt condolences to all my fellow tipplers..
I pray God to give us all immense strength to bear this tragic attack on our wallets and consequently our bank balances. This as you may have realised, is cruelty of the highest order.
Please do stop laughing. This is a serious matter my dear readers…
In a state our size, aren’t there several other commodities that can take an excise duty hike in their stride ?
I mean, why me ?
I pay my taxes, I am a law-abiding citizen, I have a lifetime permit to consume the stuff (from the very Excise department) and I do not drink and drive. Additionally, please note that I am not a large burden on the drinking water resources of the state, as I am most often, replacing water with these 330ml wonders.
Conservation of our natural resources is of paramount importance to me.
And yet, this blow was dealt without notice. Even the medical fraternity has reacted sharply to this unjust hike, considering the possible hepatic damage, hard liquor (now cheaper!) will be responsible for.
Yes, I understand our state will be unique, what with being the only place in the country (possibly worldwide!) where whisky and rum is cheaper than a beer.
Quite hilarious come to think of it.
Progress in a ‘new improved’ unique manner. Damage more livers and brains and let people have higher v/v of alcohol and feel good, all because you don’t enjoy your beer.
Often these decisions are taken by people who don’t touch the stuff, or prefer stronger brews. Wine, for instance, is totally exempt from excise duty. Now that stuff has more alcohol content than beer, but then it’s all from the vineyards of our state. Grape farming and the ever affluent farmer must be encouraged.
Why not increase excise on the sinful peda or kolhapuri teccha or Idli batter, for that matter.
Now don’t give me the famous emotional argument, of how they are for the common man and so on..
And moreover, what have you got against me and my ilk?
We work hard to buy our bottle of beer and sorry, but we do not have spare money to dunk into central excise. As it is, you charge some 175% duty on a bulk litre of beer and now probably 200% on the same bulk litre!
Why? All because it is a beer and not wine or some such thing ?
Brutally unjust I tell you. This is not the excise departments doing, it is the state budget that is being fed I would imagine.
There ought to be a beer drinkers movement to stop all these matters, before we end up paying astronomical amounts for a safer drink. Yes, alcohol is bad in any form and should be avoided. But for those of us who enjoy our drink, the price we pay does make a difference.
And yes, Maharashtra in all probability, will see more drunk driving, smashed tipplers sprawled on footpaths and overly drunk people in close proximity of wine shops. After all, it will now be the quarter and half bottle generation that will rule the roost.
I rest my case, but only with a sense of anguish. Amen
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Consumption of alcohol and tobacco is injurious to health. Pune365 does not advocate the use and consumption of alcohol and tobacco.
Jd also consults in Consumer Neuroscience and Neuromarketing, both of which are integral to his brand interventions.
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