The state government's earnings have suffered a major setback due to the prolonged lockdown due to the global pandemic covid-19. In such a situation, Yogi Adityanath government may also impose a special corona fee on liquor like in Delhi. Due to which the price of alcohol is set to increase. The sale of liquor in the state has been started from Monday with the conditions also in lockdown due to Coronavirus infection. On the very first day, the lockdown was violated due to heavy crowds at the shops, but the government also got a lot of revenue. In view of the state government is now preparing to increase tax on petrol and diesel along with alcohol soon.
The lockdown since March 24, due to the increased infection of the coronavirus, has earned the government only 1.2 percent of its annual target of less than expected revenue in April. According to sources, in view of the huge reduction in revenue, the state government is preparing to impose additional corona duty on liquor as well as opening liquor shops. Alcohol may be more expensive by one and a half times the corona fee. The government believes that it will not have to face opposition to making alcohol expensive and the earnings will also increase. Significantly, the state government has set an annual target of earning Rs 37500 crore from alcohol.
On the other hand, due to the lower rates of petrol and diesel in the state compared to the neighboring states, the government is also preparing to increase the tax on petrol and diesel. Oil from three to five rupees a liter can be expensive. It is noteworthy that the government's annual revenue increases by Rs. 1600 crores when one rupee liter of petrol and diesel becomes expensive. Only diesel costs Rs 1130 crore.
