MRP rule violation in West Godavari district liquor sales

​Eluru: Many liquor shops in West Godavari district have been violating rules by selling liquor at prices more than the maximum retail price (MRP). People have been spending more than the MRP for liquor purchases. In spite of government’s warning to penalize Rs 1 lakh for violating MRP, almost all wine shops were taking the risk by selling liquor at higher prices.

The customers have been complaining that a majority of wine shop managements were not issuing bills for sales and forcing them to cough up extra money for liquor. Ironically, all these managements had set up flexis stating that wine sales subject to MRP prices. Now they hiked the price of almost all liquor to make money.  

Recently, the excise minister had announced that there would be hike in penalty for more than MRP sales. However, there were no instances of wine shop owners being fined for crossing MRP line.

According to apex court orders, the wine shops should be located at least 500 metres away from the villages. In spite of the excise minister’s warnings, half of the wine shops have been in residential localities of the villages.

The liquor sales in violation of MRP norm are visible in Ashoknagar, old bus stand, Vangayagudem, Powerpet and other areas of Eluru, leave alone other areas in the district. 

The state government had issued SIM cards to the excise officials to check hike in prices of liquor sales. Though the officials have been receiving information about MRP violation, no action is being taken against the owners of the liquor shops.