Beer to cost more in UP

Lucknow, Jan 3 (UNI) The Uttar Pradesh government today approved the new excise policy for 2007-08, increasing the license fee and hiking the beer price by Rs 2 per bottle.

The excise policy for the next financial year was approved at the state cabinet meeting here.

According to an official release, the shops' license would be distributed in two phases, first by renewing the old ones and the rest would be alloted by lottery.

License fee of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) shops has been hiked by 20 per cent, while license fee of beer shops has been hiked by 15 per cent.

The cost of beer (strong and mild) will be hiked by Rs 2 per bottle.

In the countrymade liquor sector, the government has decided to effect a hike of Rs 7 per bulk litre and 5 per cent on their licence fee.

In another decision, the government has approved distillary license to four private companies.

These companies are Dhampur Sugar Mill Ltd (Bijnore), Dayal Breweries Pvt Limited (Saharanpur), Bajaj Hindustan Ltd (Lakhimpur Kheri) and D S M Ltd (Badaun).

UNI