Policy returned from MSP to MRP, contractors will not be able to decide dividend themselves
Shimla
English liquor lovers in Himachal Pradesh will now have to pay more. The government has increased the price of English liquor by up to Rs 200 per bottle. The Tax and Excise Department has released new rates for the financial year 2025-26. This time the government has decided to return from MSP (minimum selling price) to MRP (maximum retail price) after just one year. Now contractors will not be able to decide dividend at their own will, but liquor will be sold only at the MRP fixed by the government.
In the year 2024, English liquor was divided into two categories—low brand and high brand. A dividend of 15% was fixed on low brand liquor and 30% on high brand liquor. The MRP declared this year has increased more than these fixed dividends. The government has been forced to return from MMC (Minimum Sale Price) to MRP due to high auction of contracts.
In the financial year 2024-25, the state government had decided to sell liquor on the lines of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. Under this policy, MSP was marked on liquor bottles instead of MRP, allowing contractors to add dividend at their own will.
The government’s objective was to maintain competition with neighboring states and control illegal liquor. However, this model was not very effective due to the sale of contracts at a higher base price in Himachal.
In the last financial year, the Tax and Excise Department received a revenue of Rs 2600 crore, while this year the government has set a target of Rs 2800 crore.
The government has directed that it will be mandatory to paste rate list as per brand at all liquor shops. Along with this, the phone number of the tax and excise inspector of the concerned area will also be mentioned in the list. If any contractor charges more than the MRP, then the customer will be able to lodge a complaint directly to the officer.
New prices of major brands
Liquor Brand MSP 2024 MRP 2025
Black Dog ₹1254 ₹1750
100 Piper ₹1228 ₹1650
Blender Pride ₹856 ₹1025
8 PM Premium Black ₹551 ₹715
Royal Challenge ₹560 ₹725
All Season ₹560 ₹725
Officer Choice ₹432 ₹535
Royal Stag ₹650 ₹750
