HYDERABAD: Chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Tuesday announced that the state cabinet has decided to permit sale of liquor through shops across the state irrespective of their zones — Red, Green and Orange. However, no permission will be given in containment clusters where 15 shops are located. Similarly, permission will not be given for bars and pubs. The government also took decision to hike the prices by 16% on the existing rates and 11% on cheap liquor brands.
The CM said shops will be opened between 10am and 6pm. Owners will have to ensure physical distance is maintained at the shops. “If physical distance is not followed and buyers don’t wear masks at the shops, we will seal the shops,” he said.
He said the state government was compelled to take decision on opening liquor shops as four neighbouring states, AP, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh have started liquor sales, and people from Telangana were going to those states to purchase the liquor, giving rise to smuggling.
Even some people began manufacturing Gudumba (illicit liquor), he said.
Meanwhile, excise police have taken up checking of all liquor shops in the state. They have compared the present stocks and records with those available on March 22. The drive was conducted to know if black marketing of liquor was done. There were allegations that stock was emptied in some shops.
The CM said shops will be opened between 10am and 6pm. Owners will have to ensure physical distance is maintained at the shops. “If physical distance is not followed and buyers don’t wear masks at the shops, we will seal the shops,” he said.
He said the state government was compelled to take decision on opening liquor shops as four neighbouring states, AP, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh have started liquor sales, and people from Telangana were going to those states to purchase the liquor, giving rise to smuggling.
Even some people began manufacturing Gudumba (illicit liquor), he said.
Meanwhile, excise police have taken up checking of all liquor shops in the state. They have compared the present stocks and records with those available on March 22. The drive was conducted to know if black marketing of liquor was done. There were allegations that stock was emptied in some shops.
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