MUMBAI, MAR 1: Hindustan Lever Ltd, the packet tea market leader, has reduced the prices of all its packet tea brands, passing on the full benefit of the withdrawal of the eight per cent excise duty on packet tea to the consumer.This would mean that consumers will benefit with a reduction of prices on HLL tea brands ranging from Rs 7 to Rs 14 a kg (depending on the brand), on packsizes of over 100 gm. Prices of key brands, like Brooke Bond Red Label and Lipton Taaza, will come down by Rs 11 per kg on packages over 100 gram. There was no excise on packsizes up to 100 gm. The packet tea industry, which provides safe and hygienic tea to consumers, had been declining rapidly since the imposition of excise duty. The withdrawal of duty is in keeping with government's policy of encouraging branding.
