Budget 2016: Soft drinks may get costlier this summer

You may have to pay extra on your favourite colas this summer, as the soft drinks pricing may go up by Rs 1-8 depending on the pack size.

Budget 2016 didn’t bring much positivity to the industry as the excise duty on sugary aerated drink has been increased from 18% to 21% by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

Beverage makers including MNCs and Indian top brands have hiked their pricing last year only as the government had imposed sin taxes of around 5% and 0.5%, respectively, on colas in previous two budgets.

From Rs 2 for a 200ml glass bottle, prices increased by around Rs 8 for PET bottles.