Govt to limit liquor purchase to 1 bottle, ban cigarettes at duty free shops

The Commerce Ministry is proposing to restrict purchase of liquor to one bottle at duty free shops. It is also mulling a ban on sale of cigarettes, reports The NewsMinute. This rule is being practised by many international countries and India too is thinking of going the same way. In case, you didn’t know, purchase of two liquor bottles and a carton of cigarette is currently in place.

These recommendations are coming as a part of proposals made by the Ministry for the impending Union Budget. This move is being considered in a bid to rein in the trade deficit, as per sources. The strategy is to reduce imports and raise import duties, which, in turn, will benefit the domestic industry and help in employment generation, as per TNM.

Among the other proposals by the Ministry is an increase in customs duty on products like paper, footwear, rubber items and toys to promote 'Make in India' and boost manufacturing growth.