Distilleries urge Tamil Nadu govt to hike liquor procurement prices

CHENNAI: Distilleries have requested the Tamil Nadu government to revise the procurement prices of liquor in line with a hike in ethanol price.

A manufacturer of Indian made foreign liquor supplying to Tasmac said on condition of anonymity that the state government usually revises the liquor procurement prices every three years, but it has been four years since the prices were revised.

The manufacturer said the Union government has hiked the ethanol procurement prices twice in August to ensure supply to oil marketing companies for ethanol-blending of fuel.

"So, the ethanol price has gone up by nearly by about Rs 10 per litre," he said and added, "Unless the procurement prices are revised, distilleries will have no other option but shut as they are losing the buying power."

There is already a short supply of liquor to Tasmac, said the manufacturer. However, when contacted, Tasmac officials said they had not decided on the price hike of liquor at the retail end.