Hyderabad/Amaravati Jan 1, : .Nearly Rs 300 crore was spent on liquor during the New Year festivities in Telugu States.Telangana’s tippers consumed liquor valued at Rs.172 crore within a single day.In neighbouring Andhra Pradesh however, new year liquor sales accounted for an estimated Rs.124 crore to the state treasury.
Sources say that these are only preliminary estimates.Final figures may be lower.
The authorities extended the opening hours of bars, pubs and liquor shops in Hyderabad and the rest in Telangana to encourage more sales.
Telangana’s Prohibition and Excise Department allowed license holders of bars and licensees of event managements to sell liquor until 1 a.m.each night between December 31, 2021 and Jan 1, 2022.
The government relaxed the regulations and allowed liquor stores to sell alcohol until midnight on December 31.The highest volume of sales was recorded in Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy, which are adjacent districts.
Telangana made a new record of Rs 3.459 crore in liquor sales during December.Officials claim that December 2020 saw liquor sales of Rs 2,765 crore.The state’s total liquor sales are estimated to reach Rs 30,222 crore for the whole of 2021.
Recently, the Excise Department approved another 104 shops and 159 bars for Telangana.There are currently 2,220 liquor shops in the state and 1,500 bars, restaurants, and hotels that offer alcohol.
Massive sales were also achieved in Andhra Pradesh thanks to the extended hours of bars and liquor shops, and the availability premium brands at retail stores.
In the eight-months to 2021, Andhra Pradesh’s liquor sales also set new records.
The total sales for the year is expected to reach Rs 22,000 crore.
Critics have raised concerns about the rise in alcohol sales and criticized the YSR Congress Party government of Andhra Pradesh.
Opposition parties have raised concerns about the government’s pledge to total prohibition in phases.
State government is sole distributor and wholesaler of liquor.
It claims that liquor consumption has declined over the past two-and-a half years.The state government also stated that prohibition will not be imposed.
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