Robust tourism helps excise dept boost revenue by 45% since 2022

Time of India

18 hours ago

Panaji
: Goa's excise department has seen a significant jump in revenue, with a 45% increase over the last four financial years. The department raked in Rs 947.9 crore in 2024-25, as against Rs 650 crore in 2021-22.
This increase is attributed to robust tourist footfalls and enforcement by the department.
Goa's excise collection shot up to Rs 865 crore in 2022-23 due to several measures implemented by the excise department. In 2023-24, the department's revenue increased to Rs 900.2 crore.
Goa's excise revenue is largely driven by tourists who either purchase alcohol from retail stores or consume liquor at restaurants and hotels.
Alcohol sales are also driven by events in the state.
Data shared with the legislative assembly also shows that Rs 4.1 crore is owed to the department by 242 retail outlets, bars and alcohol manufacturers since 2018. Of the 242 defaulters, most are from Tiswadi and Salcete talukas. While some of the licence holders have come forward and cleared their dues, the department has been forced to issue notices to most of the excise licence holders to recover what is owed.
Those outlets which have ignored notices and reminders to pay the annual audit fees risk having their licences being cancelledwith the department already proposing to cancel some licences">, said officials.
In the Goa budget 2023-24, the excise duty on high-end liquor was reduced and duty on other categories of Indian made foreign liquor (IMFL) was marginally increased to shore up revenues.
The department said that while no tax refund or waiver has been granted under the Excise Duty Act, applicants have been offered an adjustment of excise duty only in cases where permits are cancelled and the said excise duty paid for liquor goods in these cancelled permits are adjusted in their future permits.