PUDUCHERRY: Those enjoying beer would have to pay more as the prices of popular brands in Puducherry would increase from Monday. Some of the producers would enhance the price by Rs 2.50 to Rs 3 per bottle. In Puducherry the manufacture and sale of beer and India Made Foreign Liquor are in private hands and the prices are fixed by the manufacturers.
According to manufacturers, a bottle (650 ml) of Kingfisher strong beer would now cost Rs 45 in place of Rs 42. Similarly, the prices of other beer brands would also be enhanced. But they are yet to be disclosed.
The manufacturer of two popular brands - Kingfisher and Haywards - have already intimated the increase of basic prices to the Department of Excise, which is required for collection of additional excise duty. Accordingly, the basic price of two Hayward brands would go up to Rs 270 from Rs 250 per case (12 bottles of 650 ml) and Rs 290 from Rs 270 per case. On the other hand, Kingfisher has enhanced the basic price to Rs 254 from Rs 240 per case earlier.
On an average, both Kingfisher sell around one lakh cases per month. Hayward beer sells slightly less.
Going by the present trend, the enhancement of prices for Kingfisher would an additional revenue by Rs 21 lakh per month approximately, through additional excise duty.