Indian authorities ne bulk Scotch whisky ke classification par sawaal utha diye hain. Iska matlab ye hai ki trade deal ke bawajood duty shayad **150%** hi bani rahe, jo Diageo, Pernod Ricard aur Radico Khaitan jaise badi companies ke margins par bada impact daal sakti hai.
Trade Deal ka fayda milne mein mushkil!
July 2026 mein India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) aane ke baad sabko umeed thi ki Scotch whisky par import tariff 150% se ghatkar 75% ho jayega. Lekin ab Indian customs authorities ne bulk whisky imports ki classification ko lekar naya bawaal khada kar diya hai. Officials ka kehna hai ki ye shipments 'finished Scotch' nahi hain, balki inhe 'compound alcoholic preparations' maana jana chahiye.
Business par kya padega asar?
Bharat mein import hone wali 80% Scotch bulk mein aati hai jise yahan local spirit ke saath blend kiya jata hai. Agar ye classification change hua, toh duties 150% par hi ruk jayengi. Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Allied Blenders and Distillers, aur Radico Khaitan jaisi badi companies ke liye ye bada jhatka hai kyunki wo apne margins ko protect nahi kar payenge agar tax ka bojh consumer par daala gaya.
Investigation aur Agla Kadam
मामला sirf duty ka nahi hai, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) ne kayi badi distilling firms ke offices par search operations bhi kiye hain. Is regulatory investigation ne shareholders ki tension badha di hai.
ISWAI aur CIABC jaise industry bodies ab sarkar se baat kar rahe hain kyunki unhe lagta hai ki isse 'Make in India' manufacturing ko nuksan hoga. Sabki nazar November 2, 2026 ko hone wali meeting par hai, jahan commerce ministry aur industry executives ke beech is issue par final decision ho sakta hai.