Liquor sales net `200 cr addl revenue

Telangana State Beverages Corporation Limited is expected to clock `300 crore more revenue during celebrations to be held in January

Hyderabad: New Year eve bash coupled with prevailing cold weather conditions has pushed up liquor sales in Telangana State. Liquor uptake has gone up by 20 per cent in the last one-week, netting Rs 200 crore additional revenue this month. It is expected that another Rs 300 crore more revenue could be secured during new year celebrations.

State Excise and Prohibition Department has set Rs 1,200 crore revenue target in December this year. With sudden increase in the liquor sales, the department has projected that the revenue will go up to Rs 1,600 crore to Rs 1,700 crore.

Generally, revenue from liquor sales during New Year eve celebrations is expected at Rs 200 crore. This year, it is expected to be around Rs 500 crore. Officials of the Excise Department told The Hans India that the cold weather conditions and the new culture of having New Year even celebrations in December third week led to increase in sale of liquor. Hyderabad and other Municipal Corporations, including Karimnagar, Warangal and Nizamabad, and municipal towns reported huge liquor sales.

Bars registered nearly 15 per cent growth in liquor sales in the urban areas. Premium liquor brands registered higher sales. Beer sales remained the same at 24 lakh cases this month also. A single case of beer contains 12 bottles and each bottle will be a 650 ml. In view of increased demand for liquor at the end of this year, licensed liquor outlets and bars placed huge orders with TSBCL (Telangana State Beverages Corporation Limited). Officials said that Enforcement wing of the Excise Department has already swung into action to check spurious liquor and NDPL (Non-Duty Paid Liquor) sale in some districts and also curb the violation of MRP act.