Live
- G20 Leaders Will Talk About Climate, Taxes, and Trump's Return in Brazil
- COP29: CDRI announces $8 million funding for 12 projects to address climate crisis
- Anti-Telgu remarks: Actor Kasthuri Shankar moves court for bail
- Samsung AR Smart Glasses Set to Launch in 2025, Featuring Ray-Ban Meta-Like Design
- Kerala Industries Minister confident that new policy will boost plantation sector
- Madras HC plans inter-departmental monitoring committee to combat drug use in TN
- Bihar: Spotted deer dies due to heart attack in Banka district
- Mushtaq Ali T20: Shami to spearhead Bengal bowling attack, Gharami named captain
- Kharge's clarion call to oust Maharashtra's BJP-backed MahaYuti
- Why Ukraine’s Use of US Missiles Against Russia Could Lead to World War 3
Bootleggers flood TS with cheap liquor from AP
The Telangana State government is now forced to grapple with smuggling of cheap liquor from the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. Availability of cheap liquor at low price in AP has spurred unscrupulous elements to smuggle it into the Telangana. The State government is already facing the problem of rampant smuggling of non-duty paid liquor from Rayalaseema districts.
- Flow of alcohol beverage into Telangana State is spurred by low price fixed for certain types of drink
- Apart from it, the TS government is already grappling with the bootlegging of non-duty paid liquor from Rayalaseema districts
Hyderabad: The Telangana State government is now forced to grapple with smuggling of cheap liquor from the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. Availability of cheap liquor at low price in AP has spurred unscrupulous elements to smuggle it into the Telangana. The State government is already facing the problem of rampant smuggling of non-duty paid liquor from Rayalaseema districts.
The AP government lowered cheap liquor price to Rs 45 from Rs 60 per 180 ml bottle with effect from December. In Telangana State, it costs Rs 60 a bottle. According to sources, the Excise Department has received confidential information that efforts are under way to smuggle cheap liquor into Telangana State from AP, particularly from Rayalaseema districts.
Officials claim that Rayalaseema is known to be the main conduit for smuggling of liquor for long. There have been instances of smuggling of liquor into Telangana State from Rayalaseema even after the bifurcation of state. Smuggling of liquor is routed through Mahbubnagar, the sources add.
The Excise officials said the consumption of cheap liquor is high in Telangana State when compared to AP.
Bootleggers are taking advantage of lower price of cheap liquor in AP to smuggle it into the Telangana State. A mafia is now actively involved in smuggling non-duty paid liquor from AP into Telangana State. The smuggling of liquor from the neighbouring State is causing revenue loss between Rs 300 and Rs 400 to the Telangana State government.
The check-posts in both the state are not able to tackle the activity. The officials claim that the check-posts are ineffective in taking on smugglers because they are understaffed.
Additional Commissioner (Excise) T Prasad said all the Excise officials in the border districts have been alerted and instructed to intensify vehicle checking.
The officials have also been warned that they will be suspended if any liquor outlet is found selling cheap liquor which is smuggled from AP.
By:Patan Afzal Babu
