Alcohol revenue dips as liquor sales in Kurnool take a hit

KURNOOL: Liquor sales took a hit in Kurnool district with a Rs 213-crore revenue dip despite a sharp increase in prices.

When compared to Rs 840 crore in the first 10 months of 2019, the district logged sales of Rs 626 crore this year. District excise officials drew up various strategies to improve liquor sales but fell short of the target, said an official.

While the pandemic is said to be a major dampener on liquor sales, what added to the shortfall of excise revenue was the non-availability of standard brands. Government outlets sold new, unfamiliar brands and buyers kept away, said AP Beverages depot official Anand.

During the first ten months of 2019, 13.67 lakh boxes of liquor and 11.89 lakh boxes of beer were sold. For the same period this year, 6.28 lakh liquor boxes and 2.46 lakh beer boxes were sold. Though less liquor was sold, the revenue was high because of the increase in the prices of liquor and beer, the official said.

The district has 14 excise stations, 142 government outlets and 44 bars. On average, liquor sales are in the region of Rs1.5 crore per day. Liquor outlets were shut down from March 23 to May 4 while bars were allowed to be opened on September 22. The officials are convinced that with the receding of corona cases, good sales will mark the reminder of the year.