Presenting the Rs 10,000 crore deficit budget for the year 2021-22 on Monday in the state legislature, Finance Minister Ajit Pawar chose to levy more taxes on liquor to plug revenue losses that have increased because of the COVID-19 pandemic. No other new taxation has been introduced in order to provide relief to the people. The state is estimated to get additional revenue of Rs 800 crore from the hike.

Finance Minister Ajit Pawar chose to levy more taxes on liquor to plug revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic. File pic