[(1)] An excise duty or countervailing duty, as the case may be, at such rate or rates as the [State] Government shall direct may be imposed either generally or for any specified local area on-
(a) any alcoholic liquor for human consumption,
(b) any intoxicating drug ]or hemp]:
[(c) opium,]
(d) any other excisable article,
when imported, exported, transported, possessed, manufactured or sold [in or from the [State], as the case may be]:
Provided that duty shall not be so imposed on any article which has been imported into [the territory of India] and was liable on such importation to duty under the Indian Tariff Act, 1934, or the Sea Customs Act, 1878* [or on any medicinal or toilet preparation containing alcohol, opium, hemp or other narcotic drugs or narcotics.]
[Explanation.- Duty may be imposed under this section at different rates,-
(i) according to the places to which an excisable article is to be removed for consumption; or
(ii) according to the varying strength or quality of such article; or
(iii) according to the manufacturing cost of the excisable article, declared in writing, by the manufacturer or the exporter to the State, to the prescribed authority and authenticated by that authority.]
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