Wine shop shows double standard

Tandur: The management of Sri Mahalakshmi Wines in Basheerabad, near here, is alleged to have been adopting double standards with customers visiting the shop to purchase beer.

It is accused of selling most popular and chilled variety of beer to their choicest customers, while forcing others to go in for unchilled and less popular brands pouring hot water on customers’ aspirations to beat the heat with the chilled beer. When questioned, the management apparently behaved rudely towards the customers displaying a reckless attitude.

The wine shop earlier set a record of sorts in the district grossing the highest sales earlier. It would not hesitate to enter into a clash with customers who question why some customers are being discriminated against. Customers complain against the management saying that its common refrain would be, “We will sell chilled beer to the customers of our choice. If you want to lodge a complaint against us you are free to do so.” Verbal duels had taken place between the customers and management on several occasions, it is learnt.

Moreover, another complaint against the management is loose sale of brandy, whisky, rum and other liquor varieties, which is violative of the rules, it is alleged. It is pertinent to note here that excise officials raided on the wine shop last year and levied a fine of Rs 1.50 lakh for encouraging loose sale of liquor.
In spite of levying the fine, it is alleged that there is no apparent change in its behaviour.

When The Hans India contacted Excise CI Tukya Naik for his clarification, the official found fault with the wine shop stating that it is customary on the part of the wine shop to maintain the stocks of the beverages in tune with the demand. He dismissed that clashes are a thing of routine at the wine shops and hence does not matter. However, the official said that loose sale of liquor should not be encouraged under any circumstances and threatened to take stern action against the wine shop if the allegation is proved.