Unprecedented Rush to Set up Liquor Shops in TS

HYDERABAD: The government received nearly 1.07 lakh applications to participate in the auctions for liquor shops for a two-year period from December 1. The deadline ended on Friday. Each applicant filed a Rs 2 lakh fee, which is non-refundable, earning the government more than Rs 2,000 crore.

The government had notified 2,620 liquor shops. On average, each shop drew over 40 applications. District collectors will hold a draw of lots on August 21 to allocate the shops. The winners will then pay the annual licence fee ranging from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1.1 crore.

The take from the licence fee is likely to top Rs 3,500 crore. In all, the government would have earned Rs 5,500 crore.

A large number of women submitted applications. Texcise commissionerate office in Nampally witnessed a huge rush.

Shadnagar and Saroornagar mandals received over 100 applications each, the highest, while Nirmal received the fewst.

In 2021, the government earned Rs 1,350 crore under non-refundable application fee and Rs 3,500 crore though shop licence fee.

The demand for shops is said to the extended poll season, when liquor is in high demand: Assembly polls in December, Lok Sabha elections in May 2024 and gram panchayat, zilla parishad and municipal elections all through next year.