Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi: A dispute has erupted between the Excise Department and liquor manufacturers in Jharkhand after the department granted malt spirit permits to certain country liquor companies, a substance typically used in the production of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), triggering discontent among rival producers in the state.
Different Raw Materials Used for Country and Foreign Liquor
In the state, country liquor (25 degree) is manufactured using Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA), along with caramel and flavouring agents, while companies producing Indian Made Foreign Liquor are issued malt spirit permits, which they use to purchase and manufacture their products. Country liquor manufacturers, on the other hand, are issued ENA permits for their production process. However, the Excise Department has now granted malt spirit permits to certain country liquor companies as well, a move that came to light after other country liquor manufacturers sought similar permits from the department but were refused, giving rise to discontent among producers whose business activities they claim have been affected as a result.
Price Gap Between Malt Spirit and ENA Fuels Dispute
Industry sources associated with liquor manufacturing say that malt spirit used in foreign liquor production costs around Rs 400-500 per litre, compared to ENA, used in country liquor production, which costs approximately Rs 80-85 per litre. Adding even a small quantity of malt spirit during country liquor (25 degree) production reportedly enhances its taste, which affects the sales of liquor made purely with ENA. Other country liquor manufacturers have alleged that companies granted malt spirit permits are using it in their 25-degree country liquor production but not disclosing this on their brand labels or in the list of ingredients used, allowing them to capture a large share of the market.
