The Karnataka Minister for Excise, Mr M.P. Renukacharya, has reiterated that there was no shortage of beer in the State.

He was reacting to earlier reports that the State was facing insufficient supply of beer.

Hoarding of beer by outlets

The delay in release of stock to outlets was caused by the change in excise, which necessitated sticking of new labels on beer bottles, he said.

In the Budget for 2012 – 13, Karnataka increased the additional excise duty on IMFL by 7.5 per cent to 10 per cent.

One of the causes of the shortage of beer has also been attributed to hoarding of beer by outlets which wanted to cash in on the new excise rates.

According to figures made available by Karnataka State Beverages Corporation Ltd (KSBCL), 2.13 crore litres of beer were sold in March 2012 as opposed to 1.3 crore litres in February 2012.

Sales

According to KSBCL's daily data sheet, on March 31, sales of beer totalled over 1.4 lakh cases on the last day of March. Out of this, Bangalore accounted for 39,493 cases (around 27 per cent).

KSBCL made revenues of Rs 13,700 crore in 2011-12, out of which IMFL and beer accounted for Rs 12,733 crore and spirits for over Rs 900 crore.

>Balaji.n@thehindu.co.in