Tirupati: The abnormal prices of Indian Made Liquor (IML) and beer in bars have neither deterred the spirit of tipplers nor has it stopped them from visiting the dimly-lit liquor dens. Almost all bars across the State, especially in Tirupati, were seen fully crowded during normal days, more so late into the evenings.
However, a section of the public, especially from the middle-class or lower middle-class community, are feeling the pinch as bars charge them over and above MRP.
In Tirupati, IML brands are priced 25 -30 per cent higher than MRP while it is 33-35 per cent higher when it comes to beer. Excise officials state that there are no restrictions on bars and restaurants to sell liquor at MRP. They point out that the government sells liquor to bars at 50 per cent higher prices compared to government-run liquor outlets and hence the high cost in bars.
“Bars incur maintenance costs and have to pay salaries to their employees. It is because of this that bar managements jack up the prices. Moreover, there are no restrictions on bars to follow the MRP rule, we will take action against them when they charge abnormally”, Excise Inspector Tirupataiah told this newspaper.
Meanwhile, when Deccan Chronicle spoke to a few customers in bars here, they demanded the authorities to regulate the prices of liquor at bars.
A. Hari Krishna, a resident of Srinivasapuram said he went to purchase a bottle of liquor from a popular bar beside the municipal office, where he faced a bitter experience.
“The MRP on 100 Pipers (180ml) bottles was `660 but the bar sold it for `830. They neither displayed the rate list nor did they have a bill book. When asked, the bar employees said that some bottles had old MRP printed on them. Incidentally, the manufacturing date on the bottle was May 29 of this year”, he said.
A reputed bar on Karakambadi road has been selling beer at `80 above its MRP.
“A beer of the Kingfisher brand with the MRP of `240 is being sold at Rs. 320 at this bar. They didn’t even put up a price list. For fear of being branded as tipplers, we didn’t dare to complain against them,” said a denizen at a bar near Srikrishna Devaraya circle.
