MRP stands for maximum retail price at which the product shall be sold. But not for the 64-odd licensed Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) sellers in Bokaro district. For them, it perhaps means “maximum rupiya pao.”

According to customers, liquor was being sold at prices higher than their MRP. For every bottle, they are paying an extra Rs 15-30, while the excise department continues to look the other way. A powerful syndicate, allegedly led by two local traders, is believed to be calling the shots.

For example, a bottle of Kingfisher and Turbo beer, having MRPs of Rs 73 and Rs 74, respectively, are being sold for Rs 90 each in Bokaro. The beer cans come for Rs 80, while the actual price is Rs 65. Similarly, the MRP of Royal Stag whisky’s nip bottle is Rs 104 and McDowell Rs 85. But customers are forced to shell out Rs 5-10 extra per bottle.

DC Uma Shankar Singh said the matter came to his notice recently. “We will intensify checks. I have asked the SDOs of Bermo and Chas to conduct raids in their respective zones. In Bokaro, I will conduct checks,” he said.

Customers also claimed that liquor sellers were not issuing receipts. Recently, a youth, Dilip Kumar Dey, was allegedly thrashed by the salesperson of an outlet near Co-operative Colony Main Gate in Bokaro steel city when he demanded a bill.

Bokaro assistant excise commissioner S.K. Chowdhury said: “I am currently short-staffed and hence, not being able to carry out raids.”