Governor signs bill for GST hike on foreign liquor

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Governor has signed the bill to increase the KGST on foreign liquor by four percent, which was passed by the Assembly. It was signed yesterday morning at 11 am just before he left for Kannur.

The Governor said that he is signing the bill because it is a revenue-generating bill for the government. The bill was brought to the Raj Bhavan through a special envoy on Thursday. The KGST rate on foreign liquor has been increased by four percent to make up for the revenue loss caused by the exemption of 5 percent sales tax from distilleries manufacturing and selling foreign liquor in the state. With the Governor signing the bill, the price of foreign liquor will increase from January 1. The popular brands which are cheaper will not have much price difference. The price can go up to Rs 20. The prices for premium brands will increase as per liquor rates. Other bills passed by the assembly, including the removal of the Governor from the post of chancellor of universities, have not yet been brought to the Raj Bhavan.