The alcoholic beverage industry has urged the Goa government to defer the implementation of the proposed Deposit Refund System (DRS), citing serious operational, logistical, and economic concerns. The current rollout date of April 2, 2026, has been described by industry leaders as unrealistic and potentially disruptive.
Key industry bodies, including the Brewers Association of India, International Spirits and Wines Association of India, and Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies, jointly met officials from the Goa DRS Administration Committee, along with excise authorities and the appointed system operator, to discuss the framework.
While supporting the environmental intent behind the DRS, the industry has highlighted multiple gaps in the current proposal. One of the primary concerns is the lack of clarity around the Unique Serial Identifier (USI) specifications, which are critical for tracking and managing bottle returns. Without these guidelines, manufacturers are unable to begin essential preparations such as inventory buildup for the peak season.
The industry has also warned that existing production lines would require significant modifications, potentially reducing efficiency by 25–30 percent. This could lead to a shortfall of 10–15 lakh cases during the high-demand summer months. Additionally, high-speed technological alternatives would require up to five months for installation and validation—time that is not available under the current schedule.
Financial implications are equally concerning. Industry estimates suggest that disruptions could result in losses of hundreds of crores, including a projected ₹100 crore decline in excise revenue for the state.
Concerns have also been raised about the preparedness of the appointed system operator. With only 300 proposed return vending machines, the infrastructure is seen as inadequate to handle the volume of bottles recycled monthly. Furthermore, the proposal to impose a flat ₹10 deposit across all products—regardless of price—has been questioned as impractical.
Industry leaders have welcomed the formation of a joint taskforce to address these issues but emphasized that meaningful consultation requires adequate time. They have recommended deferring the rollout to post-October 2026 to ensure smoother implementation and avoid unintended economic consequences.
The development sets the stage for further discussions between policymakers and industry stakeholders, as Goa attempts to balance environmental responsibility with economic sustainability.
