Elite liquor outlets set to spring up across Telangana

​Hyderabad: The Excise Department has set the conditions for setting up elite liquor outlets. These outlets will sell foreign liquor and premium Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) brands in the State.

The idea behind allowing elite outlets is to ensure availability of foreign liquor in the State. It is felt that this would help in better promotion of foreign tourism. So far the foreign liquor is sold only in bars of five star hotels and they are not available in the regular wine shops.

According to official sources, if this experiment is successful, then the number of elite outlets will be increased. The elite outlets are allowed to sell about 100 types of foreign brands.

At present, only 25 select shops located in Jubilee Hills, Banjara Hills and Madhapur areas are selling foreign liquor.

These elite shops will be allowed to remain open till past midnight while the regular wine shops have to shut by 10 pm. The regular wine shop dealers feel that the elite outlets may hit their business.

The order issued on Monday said that the basic price of whisky should be Rs 2,000 and above per case for Indian Made Foreign Liquor and Rs 1,000 and above per case for wine, produced by IMFL.

The licence holder of elite outlet shall be permitted to purchase all variety of foreign wine, whisky and beer and few brands of IMFL. These outlets are also not liable to pay any privilege fee on the sale of exclusive foreign wine, liquor and beer.

After completion of three years period, licensee shall require to pay privilege fees of 85 per cent and applicable VAT on the sale price of foreign wine, liquor and beer.