THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
After a five-month delay triggered by opposition from industry stakeholders, retailers and political parties, the Goa government will roll out its ambitious Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) from September 1, with liquor and liquor-related products forming the first phase of implementation.
The scheme, originally scheduled to be launched on April 1, was deferred after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced in the Assembly in March that its implementation would be postponed by six months to a year to allow for wider consultations and public awareness campaigns.
A notification issued by Member Convenor Sachin Desai has now confirmed that the DRS will come into force across Goa from September 1, 2026.
Under Phase I, the scheme will cover liquor and liquor-based commodities packaged in glass, plastic, metal, and other notified packaging materials, including multi-layered packaging and liquid packaging boards.
The notification mandates that all Producers, Importers and Brand Owners (PIBOs) dealing in liquor products must register under the DRS on or before July 31, 2026, failing which they will not be permitted to place such products in the market from September 1.
Under the existing framework, consumers purchasing DRS-eligible products will pay a refundable deposit of Rs 2 to Rs 10 over and above the Maximum Retail Price (MRP). The amount will be refunded when the empty bottle or container is returned at designated collection points.
The alcoholic beverage sector was first to press for implementation only after October, citing concerns over supply chain disruptions, operational preparedness and possible revenue losses. Retailers and several village panchayats have also raised objections over the logistics of collection and storage.
To facilitate the scheme, the Excise Department had earlier made it mandatory for all liquor bottles sold in Goa to carry high-security, tamper-resistant QR code stickers. The digital track-and-trace system is expected to enable refund processing while ensuring bottles can be traced to their point of sale. No liquor bottle will be allowed to leave a manufacturing unit, bottling plant, warehouse or licensed premises without the security label.
