Liquor to be cheaper in Delhi from today after removal of ‘Corona tax’
On Wednesday (June 10) in Delhi, liquor will be cheaper from today. The Delhi government has withdrawn 70 percent of the corona cess. Delhi government has increased VAT on alcohol by 5 percent. VAT will now be 25 percent on the price of alcohol. Till now, 20 per cent VAT was applicable to liquor. The government has issued an order related to this.
Amidst the growing Corona infection in Delhi, a decision was taken to open liquor shops. During this time, thousands of people were seen thronging liquor shops. To prevent this, the government had decided to increase the price of alcohol by 70 percent.
The sale of liquor started in Delhi during Lockdown 3.0. On May 4, there was a huge crowd at liquor shops. Social distancing norms were flouted. After this, the Kejriwal government decided to impose 70 percent corona cess on liquor in Delhi from May 5. Even after imposition of corona charge on liquor, the crowd was seen for several days outside shops. The government was forced to take this decision.
The Delhi High Court refused to close liquor shops in the national capital. On the PIL related to the closure of liquor shops in Delhi, the High Court said that the state and central governments should decide themselves in this matter. At present, the court is not in favor of taking a decision in this matter.
However, the High Court had asked Delhi and the Central Government to ensure that there is no crowd during the sale of liquor. The government should follow this responsibility seriously, because in the event of increasing crowds, may be dangerous consequences with regards to corona.
