CHANDIGARH, which aims to house the cheapest liquor in the country, has come up with its new excise policy for the year 2008-09. Country liquor and Indian made foreign liquor (IMFL) will now be available in pouches of 150 ml each while six new categories of IMFL have been introduced. Both the measures are aimed at boosting retail trade. As per the administration, the UT excise policy, developed in line with the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries Model Excise Policy in the beginning of the year 2006, has been successful in dismantling the cartel, bringing down retail rates, improving ambiance of the vends and expanding the range of brands on retail shelves. In addition to the availability of liquor in pouches, the import fee has been fixed at a uniform rate of Rs 2 per proof liter for both country liquor 50 and IMFL 60 degree from Rs 1.75 while IMFL 75 degree has been increased to Rs 2 from Rs 1. Franchise fee levied on brands of other distilleries bottled in the bottling plants of Chandigarh has been abolished. The bar licences of five-star hotel and above category have been allowed to procure liquor also from authorized sources outside Chandigarh on payment of additional licence fee/permit fee/import fee.