Indore: Excise dept steps in to stop 'price war' among liquor contractors

  • | Monday | 16th July, 2018

Issues regarding difference in prices of same liquor brands at different shops had surfaced increasing conflicts among contractors. In absence of it, small players will not be able to survive. By putting a check on price-war and other illegal means of selling liquors, we want to help small players to survive, which is required to maintain competition in annual allotment of liquor licence,” Khare said. We have asked them to agree on a common pricing,” assistant excise commissioner Alok Kumar Khare told TOI.He added that contractors have also been asked to stop selling liquors in bulk (above the permitted limit) to a person and not to offer home delivery to customers.“Big players with strong financial backup use tactics to cause loss to small players (contractors with low financial backup) and force them to exit the market, which is not good. INDORE: The ongoing price-war between liquor contractors with an intent to force competitors out of business has made excise department step in and ensure uniformity in prices.As per the state government’s liquor policy, a contractor is free to sell products anywhere between minimum sales price (MSP) and maximum retail price (MRP) but, not below or above the set range.Sources said there is a considerable difference between prices of same liquor brands being sold in eastern and western parts of the city while some contractors, whose shops are situated at prominent locations, are selling liquors at higher prices — even above MRP.Besides, contractors allegedly sell liquors, through illegal means, in the area of other contractors to meet their annual target of licence fees, which has also become a matter of concern for the department.“There should be uniformity in prices of liquor-brands.

INDORE: The ongoing price-war between liquor contractors with an intent to force competitors out of business has made excise department step in and ensure uniformity in prices.As per the state government’s liquor policy, a contractor is free to sell products anywhere between minimum sales price (MSP) and maximum retail price (MRP) but, not below or above the set range.Sources said there is a considerable difference between prices of same liquor brands being sold in eastern and western parts of the city while some contractors, whose shops are situated at prominent locations, are selling liquors at higher prices — even above MRP.Besides, contractors allegedly sell liquors, through illegal means, in the area of other contractors to meet their annual target of licence fees, which has also become a matter of concern for the department.“There should be uniformity in prices of liquor-brands. In absence of it, small players will not be able to survive. Issues regarding difference in prices of same liquor brands at different shops had surfaced increasing conflicts among contractors. We have asked them to agree on a common pricing,” assistant excise commissioner Alok Kumar Khare told TOI.He added that contractors have also been asked to stop selling liquors in bulk (above the permitted limit) to a person and not to offer home delivery to customers.“Big players with strong financial backup use tactics to cause loss to small players (contractors with low financial backup) and force them to exit the market, which is not good. By putting a check on price-war and other illegal means of selling liquors, we want to help small players to survive, which is required to maintain competition in annual allotment of liquor licence,” Khare said.

If You Like This Story, Support NYOOOZ

NYOOOZ SUPPORTER

NYOOOZ FRIEND

Your support to NYOOOZ will help us to continue create and publish news for and from smaller cities, which also need equal voice as much as citizens living in bigger cities have through mainstream media organizations.


Stay updated with all the Latest Indore headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.

Related Articles