Assam Excise Minister Atul Bora and his Meghalaya counterpart Brening A. Sangma held discussions on having uniform liquor prices in the two neighbouring states to avoid diversion of trade.
The lower liquor prices in Meghalaya often attracts budget-conscious consumers from Assam to buy alcoholic beverages from the bordering areas of the neighbouring state, resulting in loss of revenue for Assam government.
“In line with the vision of Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma to build a more integrated excise framework across the Northeast, I attended a joint meeting in Shillong on Wednesday with Meghalaya’s Excise Minister Brening A. Sangma along with senior officials of the Governments of Assam and Meghalaya,” Bora said.
“We discussed inter-state excise issues, liquor price parity and the UMEED (Uniform Market Excise Ecosystem and Duty) initiative aimed at fostering greater coordination among Northeastern states. I also informed about the support already extended by the Government of Arunachal Pradesh to this initiative,” he said.
Bora thanked Brening A. Sangma and the Government of Meghalaya for their warm hospitality and constructive support.
The meeting was attended by Assam Government’s Excise Commissioner Jitu Doley, Deputy Commissioner of Excise Pranjal Bora and other senior officials.
Meghalaya Government’s Excise Department Commissioner Secretary Pravin Bakshi, Excise Commissioner M. War Nongbri and other senior officials took part in the meeting.
Assam, Meghalaya discuss liquor price parity to avoid trade diversion
