Delhi govt directs liquor stores to display MRPs to avoid confusion over prices

The Delhi government has directed all liquor vends in the city to display rate charts reflecting changes in retail prices of various brands following complaints of overcharging.

The Delhi government has directed all liquor stores in the city to display rate charts reflecting changes in retail prices of various brands following complaints of overcharging.

A liquor store in Connaught Place, in New Delhi. (Raj K Raj /HT File Photo)

Although some liquor companies have increased prices of their products, rates of other brands have been untouched which led to confusion among consumers about changes in MRPs.

“We have directed managers of all the liquor vends to display notice boards showing the changes in Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of liquor brands so that consumers don’t get confused,” said a senior official excise department.

The Delhi government has not increased the excise duty for the second consecutive year and retail prices of liquor brands have also not been significantly raised this year.

Ankit Gautam, a resident of North Delhi’s Timarpur, said he had bought a bottle of rum for Rs 360 in Nehru Place, but its MRP was Rs 320.

“When I asked the shop vendor as to why he is charging price beyond the MRP, he said the price has gone up,” Gautam, who is a marketing executive, said.

As per the 2016-17 excise policy, the city government will not issue any new licence for opening of new liquor vendors in the city.

While announcing the move, government said mohalla sabhas will be empowered to shut existing neighbourhood stores if there are complaints of “nuisance”.

According to the policy, the process to decide on shutting a shop will be initiated once 10 per cent voters of a mohalla sabha submit a written complaint.