NIZAMABAD: In view of 2019 general elections, demand for wine shops is expected to increase across the state.
The new Excise year will begin from October 1 and liquor licences will be valid for two years. Hoping for good profits in coming two years, liquor traders and other enthusiastic people participated in tenders that began on Wednesday.
The state government has notified 95 wine shops for Nizamabad district and 38 for Kamareddy district. Apart from the existing wine shops, three new ones will come up at Bodhan, Madnoor and Kammarpally. Licence fee in rural areas has been increased and in Nizamabad, decreased from Rs 60 lakh to Rs 55 lakh per shop.
Usually, liquor sales see a spurt during festive seasons and before Assembly, Parliament elections. In view of this, liquor traders are hopeful that they will reap good profits during the term of their licence.
Shockingly, Excise department has hiked the non-refundable fee of '50,000 to '1 lakh for the lucky dip for allotment of wine shops. In view of this, non-serious applicants will not participate in tenders of wine shops.
Speaking to this newspaper, deputy commissioner for Excise P. David Ravikanth said that few licencees feel general elections will burden for them. For pressures from politicians, owners of wine shops may sell liquor below the maximum retail price, he said. Replying to a question, he said that no application was received on the first day of tenders on Wednesday.
