Hyderabad: In the wake of arm-twisting tactics by a prominent beverage company in order to increase prices of beer prices, the state government has resolved not to succumb to pressure tactics and go ahead with a transparent and standard liquor procuring methods, apart from calling for supply of new brands to the Telangana Beverages Corporation Limited.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy directed excise officials to adopt a transparent mechanism to select the companies that are willing to supply liquor to the state. Excise and prohibition officials were asked to evolve a simplified business policy for all potential suppliers of new brands.
In a review meeting on liquor supply and beer prices with the excise officials here on Saturday, Reddy asked the officials to act as per norms in allowing the entry of new liquor companies.
He asked officials to give at least one month's notice when the corporation comes out with a notification seeking applications from new companies for supply of liquor. The selection must involve checking the quality of liquor and the production levels of the companies.
Officials brought to the notice of the Chief Minister that the United Beverages had been bringing pressure to increase beer prices by 33.1 per cent.
Reddy asked the officials not to wilt under such pressure and suggested that check the beer rates in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. The rates must be fixed based on the report of the price fixation committee headed by a retired judge.
He also asked finance department officials to clear the Rs 2,700 crore worth pending bills in a phased manner.
Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, excise minister Jupally Krishna Rao, Chief Secretary A. Santhi Kumari, special secretary (finance) Ramakrishna Rao, principal secretary (excise) S.A.N. Rizvi and excise commissioner Hariharan attended the review meeting.
