The Karnataka government has launched a new alcohol-in-beverage (AIB)-based excise duty, claiming to be the first of its kind in India. This policy aims to reduce the price of liquor, particularly beer, making it more affordable for consumers. However, local distillers have expressed significant discontent, fearing that the new tax regime will adversely affect their sales and profitability. The government has deregulated price fixation, allowing producers to determine product placement within eight Indian Made Liquor slabs based on market dynamics. While the intention is to make liquor prices in Karnataka competitive with those in neighboring states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, local manufacturers argue that the policy disproportionately favors multinational brands over local ones. A distiller, who preferred to remain anonymous, criticized the lack of consideration for local consumption habits and the government's focus on revenue generation rather than industry health. The Karnataka Brewers & Distillers Association, led by president Arun Kumar Parasa, plans to continue advocating for changes to the policy to protect the interests of local producers and their employees.