Telangana Government to Sell Cheap Liquor

HYDERABAD: It’s official now. The state government will soon introduce cheap liquor to eradicate arrack (Gudumba). The cheap liquor will be supplied in bottles and will be manufactured under the aegis of the state government.

Cheap liquor will be introduced in the state as part of the new excise policy, which will come into force from October. At a review meeting at the Secretariat here on Friday, chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao declared that the state government would introduce cheap liquor. He also examined the draft excise policy and gave some suggestions to the officials concerned.

“Several people are dying in rural areas after consuming gudumba (illicit distilled liquor).  The sale and consumption of arrack should be banned completely from tribal hamlets and villages. If those who toil all the day wants to relax in the night by taking liquor, the state government should provide cheap liquor instead of arrack. This will save the lives of the masses,” Rao said.

He directed the officials that the state government should supply cheap liquor in bottles. Licences to cheap liquor outlets will be given with mandal as a unit. Those who get licences should be permitted to sell cheap liquor in rural areas, the chief minister said.

“The government will get less income due to the sale of cheap liquor. We are not after revenues. The aim of the government is to protect the health of the poor. I have full confidence that when cheap liquor is available, no one will consume arrack,” Rao opined.

Rao further said that cheap liquor would be manufactured under the aegis of the state government and the government would scientifically decide the alcohol content to minimise the damage to the people.

As part of the new excise policy, the state government would give licences to liquor shops by draw of lots in Hyderabad and in districts.

The notification for new excise policy will be issued after August 15 and the policy will come into force from October 1. The government will also launch awareness campaign against the ill-effects of consuming gudumba through short films, posters and pamphlets.