Hyderabad: Liquor sales zoomed in the state, thanks to the massive public meeting conducted by the TRS on Sunday. Each district on an average witnessed Rs 10 crore sales on Saturday and Sunday, which is more than double the sales on normal days. The steep increase is attributed to TRS leaders in all districts vying to purchase liquor to be served to the people who were brought from the districts to Hyderabad for the meeting.
While two cases of liquor were provided for each bus, DCMs and tractors got one each. The excise department mopped up Rs 300 crore from the sale of liquor in the first two days of the months, which is a record of sorts. The videos of people consuming liquor in vehicles on their way to Hyderabad from the districts have gone viral on social media. Wine shops in districts witnessed “no stock” boards as stocks evaporated within no time.
With the liquor depots of TS Beverages Corporation Ltd remaining closed for two days on Sunday and also on Monday due to Krishnastami, the shops faced shortage of stocks. According to TRS party sources, each MLA and MP was given the task to mobilise 20,000 people from each constituency. Local leaders told MLAs and MPs that liquor had to be served to people in the vehicles during transportation from districts as it would take 3 to 6 hours to reach the venue and it would not be possible to meet the targets without liquor.
The expenses were borne by TRS leaders who distributed money to local leaders to purchase liquor. This resulted in a huge demand for liquor on Saturday and Sunday as people from far off districts started the journey by Saturday night itself. They had to supply liquor on Sunday also while returning to their home districts after the meeting.
