Alcohol

Pernod Ricard denies breaching Indian law, internal probe claims violation

PRI lobbied New Delhi officials in favour of a 2021 law that allowed private retailers to run liquor shops

AAP more interested in liquor sales than heath of Delhi citizens: Mandaviya

Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday slammed the AAP dispensation for not implementing the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme and said it is more interested in liquor sales than the health of Delhi's citizens. The Delhi assembly polls are slated for early next year. The minister's remarks also assume significance as they come a week after the Delhi High Court sought the AAP government's stand on a plea by Delhi's BJP MPs seeking implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). Addressing a press conference here, Mandaviya said it was unfortunate that states like Delhi and West Bengal are not implementing the scheme even after repeated requests by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and letters from the Centre. "There could be political differences but public welfare works must be prioritised in India's federal democratic set up for the welfare of all," he said. "The government of India has written to the Delhi government urging it to implement

Sazerac Company targets India's whisky market to uncork bourbon growth

Identifying India as a key priority market, Diego Bianchi, general manager, emerging markets and barrel select at Sazerac Company

Laos govt vows justice in alcohol poisoning case that killed 6 tourists

The Laotian government on Saturday officially acknowledged the mass poisoning that has killed at least six tourists, promising it would bring perpetrators to justice. Two Australian teenagers and a British woman died from suspected methanol poisoning after drinking tainted alcohol in Laos. An American man and two Danes also died, though their exact causes of death have not been released. A New Zealander also has been sickened. In a short statement released to the media, the Lao government said it was profoundly saddened over the loss of lives of foreign tourists in the town Vang Vieng and offered its condolences to the families of the victims. The Government of the Lao PDR has been conducting investigations to find causes of the incident and to bring the perpetrators to justice in accordance with the law, it said. Laos is a one-party communist state with no organised opposition and the government keeps a tight lid on information. In this case, officials have released almost no ...

Pernod Ricard becomes largest spirit maker with Rs 26,773 cr FY24 revenue

Pernod Ricard has become the largest Indian spirit maker in India in terms of revenue, with a consolidated sales revenue of Rs 26,773.22 crore in FY24, pushing its rival Diagio-owned United Spirits to the second spot, according to a regulatory filing. United Spirits Ltd (USL) reported Rs 26,018 crore in revenue from operations for the fiscal ended on March 31, 2024, as per the regulatory filings on stock exchanges. Pernod Ricard India Pvt Ltd (PRI) has reported an overall 6.9 per cent increase in its revenue from operations for FY24, and its profit rose 20.9 per cent to Rs 1,620.58 crore, according to the Registrar of Companies data accessed by business intelligence platform Tofler. The total income of PRI surged 7.09 per cent to Rs 26,936.51 crore for the financial year ended March 2024. USL reported a total income of Rs 26,243 crore for FY24. Pernod Ricard India, which owns popular brands like Absolute, Chivas Regal, and Glenlivet, is a fully-owned subsidiary of Pernod Ricard So

Apex court upholds states' right to regulate taxes on industrial alcohol

The verdict is likely to impact entities involved in the industrial alcohol sector, who will now have to anticipate future regulatory changes

SC curtails Centre's authority on industrial alcohol; overturns 1990 ruling

Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, writing for himself and seven other judges, declared that the central government does not possess regulatory authority over industrial alcohol

Counting the cost of Bihar's liquor prohibition on state's revenue, others

The alcohol ban in the state, in force for nine years now, has not impacted education spending much, but literacy outcomes leave a lot to be desired

Indian alcoholic beverages to see up to 10% revenue growth in FY25: ICRA

Alcoholic beverages (alcobev) companies in India are expected to report a revenue growth of 8 to 10 per cent in this financial year supported by a revival in consumption of spirits, according to a report by rating agency ICRA. The growth in the topline will also be helped by the premiumisation trend, it added. Moreover, "revenue increase in FY2025 will additionally be supported by the price hikes granted by a few state governments in the current fiscal," it said. However, operating profit margin (OPM) is expected to remain stable at 12-13 per cent in FY2025 due to decline in packaging material cost, despite increase in grain prices in H1 FY2025. "During Q1 FY2025, the spirits industry reported a 9 per cent year-on-year increase in revenues, supported by 5-7 per cent improvement in realisations, while volumes grew by 2-4 per cent," it said. Even the beer industry witnessed a higher revenue growth of 12 per cent in Q1 FY2025 owing to 3-5 per cent increase in volumes and 7-9 per cent

At least 26 dead in Iran from toxic methanol in alcoholic beverages

Hundreds hospitalised after consuming alcoholic beverages that contained toxic methanol in the northern provinces of Mazandaran and Gilan and the western province of Hamadan

Centre's support to help attain $1 bn exports of alcoholic beverages: CIABC

Support from the Centre and state governments will help the country to achieve USD 1 billion worth of alcoholic beverages exports in the coming years, the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) said on Wednesday. CIABC Director General Anant S Iyer also said that promoting ease of doing business for the sector is key at both the Central and state government levels. Easy and timely permissions for bottling and branding; transport permits; and promoting online paperwork are some of the areas which need special attention for the growth of the sector. "We need ease of doing business across the operations, besides easy tax structures and market-determined prices to boost the exports. At present, rules for the sector differ from state to state," Iyer said. He said the USD 1 billion target is "ambitious, but possible". In 2023-24, the exports stood at USD 389 million. He added that the industry should give a try for this target as it needs about 14-15 per cent ...

Supreme Court defers hearing on Kejriwal's plea for bail till Sept 5

The Supreme Court on Friday deferred till September 5 hearing on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's pleas seeking bail and challenging the arrest by the CBI in the alleged excise policy scam. A bench of justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan allowed the CBI to file its counter affidavit in the matter and gave two days' time to Kejriwal to file a rejoinder. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Kejriwal, said the CBI filed a counter affidavit in only one of the pleas and it was served upon them at 8 pm on Thursday. ASG SV Raju said they will file the counter in another plea in one week. The bench then posted the matter for further hearing on September 5. On August 14, the top court refused to grant interim bail to Kejriwal in the case and sought a response from the probe agency on his plea challenging his arrest. Kejriwal was arrested by the CBI on June 26. The chief minister, who was arrested by the ED on March 21, was granted bail by the trial court in the money ...

Kirin-backed Indian brewer B9 Beverages seeks more clout with new factory

B9 Beverages Ltd is building a new brewing facility in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, which, once completed, will become India's biggest beer factory

Mass looting of liquor in Agra as 30 boxes fall off truck, video goes viral

A delivery truck hit a speed bump and 30 liquor boxes spilled on the road, a passerby seized the opportunity leading to a rapid depletion of the fallen boxes

Zomato, Swiggy to deliver alcohol soon?

Raise a toast: State govts may allow home delivery of your favourite drink

State authorities are reportedly seeking feedback on the advantages and disadvantages of online liquor delivery from e-commerce platforms and spirits manufacturers

Spirits set to overtake wine as global drinking habits take a turn

Trends, including a shift towards drinking fewer, more expensive drinks, notably a growing range of cocktails, have seen spirits displace wine

Liver Doc slams Zerodha co-founder for his comments promoting alcohol myths

Liver Doc slams Zerodha co-founder for glamorising alcohol industry as beneficial healthcare. He also highlights his daily experience treating alcohol health issues

Tamil Nadu toxic liquor case: Death toll rises to 34; 80 seeking treatment

Chief Minister M K Stalin has announces a Rs 10 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those undergoing treatment

NCPCR rescues 58 child labourers from distillery in Madhya Pradesh's Raisen

As many as 39 boys and 19 girls were rescued from a distillery in Madhya Pradesh's Raisen district, an official said on Sunday. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) with the Association of Voluntary Action, also known as Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), led the crackdown at Som Distillery on Saturday, a release stated. A team led by NCPCR chairman Priyank Kanoongo rescued 58 children, 19 girls and 39 boys, from Som Distillery, the BBA stated. "Children bore burn wounds on their hands from exposure to harsh chemicals and alcohol. They were transported daily by their employer in a school bus and worked 12-14 hours daily," it said. In a post on 'X', Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said the raid at the factory was a serious matter. "Received detailed information from the labour, excise and police departments, and direction has been given for taking appropriate action. Strict action will be taken against the guilty," Yadav wrote. Som Distilleries & Breweries is an ..