Click to play videoNew Delhi: Scotch whiskey, or the water of life as the Scots call it, is affordable abroad and at duty-free shops in India.
But the moment it lands in the Indian market, it becomes way to expensive for the common man.
But, soon there may be reasons for tipplers to rejoice. Scotch whiskey makers believe that the Government could rationalise duties this year.
Today, an overall duty burden ranges between 212 per cent to 525 per cent making imported spirits unaffordable to many.
"We want rationalisation in duties so that people can get genuine scotch whiskey at affordable rates," says Sunil Mehdiratta of the International Spirits and Wines Association.
So a Black Label, which should otherwise cost Rs 600, now costs Rs 2,500 with duties.
"It will be fair to an industry, which is contributing in significant terms to the Government exchequer. We should get something in return by way of rationalising duties," says Harish Moolchandani, MD of Beam Global Spirits and Wines, India.
But the Indian liquor manufacturers are against reducing duties. Indian whiskey made of sugarcane mollases is not recognised as whiskey in Europe. Unless they get their recognition in Europe, they do not want the Government to reciprocate with duty cuts.
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