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Booze biz all set to boom
In an interesting development, the highly competitive liquor trade in Telangana State has witnessed an unprecedented interest among business circles and investors.
BAR BAR DEKHO…
A record 2,130 vie for 160 bars across Telangana State
The State government expects to reach the revenue target through liquor sales by the year-end
- Govt plans to issue 160 new bar licences
- Excise dept gets 150 applications for just 2 bars in Narasmpet
- In the recent auctions, 50,000 persons applies for 2,100 liquor outlets
- One bar for every 30,000 population
- More than 400 applications received for 60 bars in GHMC limits
Hyderabad: In an interesting development, the highly competitive liquor trade in Telangana State has witnessed an unprecedented interest among business circles and investors. About 2,130 applications have been received for 160 new bars which the government is planning to allot.
The officials in the Excise department said it was the first time that such an overwhelming response has been received from investors to set up new bars. Earlier, they used to get about three to five applications for each bar.
This time, the average number of applications submitted for one shop increased to 15. But this time, according to Excise and Prohibition department officials, 140 applications were received for two licensed bars in Narsampet municipality and 50 applications for a single bar in Bhupalpally in Warangal district. In the GHMC limits, more than 400 applications have been received for 60 bars.
The competition this time is high on two counts. Firstly, many new investors want to test the waters as they feel that there is lot of returns in the business and secondly, the wine dealers, who have been in liquor trade for decades and failed to get licenses to open outlets in the recent auction are vying to grab the permits for opening newly sanctioned bars in all municipalities in the State.
Telangana Bars and Restaurant Association president N Manohar Goud told The Hans India that in the recent auctions, over 50,000 persons applied for 2,100 liquor outlets. As the competition was high, many wine dealers failed to continue in the liquor trade. Those who failed to get permission are now desperate to get back into trade. The sanction of new bars has come as a panacea for the dealers to continue in the liquor trade.
The government, after bringing in some changes in the guidelines prescribed for the establishment of the liquor consuming centres, has decided to increase the number of bars in the State.
As per the new guidelines, in municipalities other than GHMC, the department grants one bar license for every 30,000 population. In the GHMC area, one bar license will be given for every 13,000 population. Earlier, bar permissions were granted based on the recommendation made by local Excise officials in the municipalities.
Since the number of applications is more in count, the selection of the licensee will be done through draw of lots. Scrutiny of the applications is in the progress and it will take another two week to complete the process. The officials said each bar owner should deposit Rs 25 lakh to run the bar for one year period.
It is expected that the revenue target through liquor sales would be achieved before the end of financial year with the increase of the number of bars. The department already realised Rs 7,000 crore out of a target of Rs 12,500 crore.
By Patan Afzal Babu
