Building owners, locals oppose opening of toddy outlets in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Toddy tappers, who were excited at the Telangana go-vernment’s decision to reopen toddy shops in Hyderabad city, are facing a firm ‘no’ for letting out premises by building owners at many places besides protests from locals.

Out of the proposed 103 shops under Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits comprising 150 municipal divisions,  tappers societies with great difficulty could open 50 shops.

Toddy sales too are not that encouraging so far, since guzzlers for long are addicted to cheap liquor.

Many building owners in the city are refusing to let out their premises for toddy shops while those willing are demanding exorbitant rents leaving the tappers societies red faced.

There are 43 tappers societies in Hyderabad and Secunderabad with allotment for 108 shops by the excise department.

“There is a severe space crunch for toddy shops. Building owners are not willing to give premises to tappers societies for setting up toddy shops.

Those willing are quoting very high rentals which are becoming uneconomical businesswise,” said T. Padma Rao, minister for prohibition and excise on Friday.

He added, “But the government's aim to reopen toddy shops is to provide livelihood and employment opportunities to the Goud community. We are not looking at generating revenues.”

According to Pavan Kumar Goud, a member of Walker Town Toddy Tappers Society, those setting up shops are finding it difficult to get new premises since the old ‘kallu compounds’ have paved way for multi-storied buildings.

“Even if we get premises at a high rent, protests from locals block opening of the shops. A police complaint is enough to stall opening of a shop. Where shops have been opened, business has not picked up yet.

A bottle of toddy costs Rs 30 while a bottle of cheap liquor is available for Rs 20. Due to the ban on toddy for long, those consuming toddy have shifted to cheap liquor and are addicted to it,” he said.

Location of temples, mosques and other places of worship has also hit opening of shops. Mr Padma Rao had assured of stern action against the toddy shops if they violate any
rules.

"We are quite strict about rules. If we find cases of adulteration licenses will be cancelled, besides initiating action against the licensees/offenders," he added.

The excise department made it clear that the toddy shops shall be at least 100 metres away from the places of worship, educational institutions, labour colonies and other
prohibited places.