The Telangana liquor tender process has seen a major drop in applications this year. Last year, there were 1.13 lakh applications. This time, the excise department received only 1,581.
The situation is so serious that the department has started a campaign urging people to apply. Officials are even promoting liquor business as one of the most profitable trades. With several shops left vacant, the government has invited tenders for new outlets.
Compared to last year’s 1.13 lakh applications, the sharp fall to 1,581 in just two weeks has shocked the officials. The government had expected to earn around Rs 3,000 crore in revenue, assuming strong demand for liquor shop licences.
Traders, however, have shown little interest. The ruling party raised the application fee from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh a 50% hike. With only 10 days left for the deadline, officials estimate they need at least 10,000 applications daily to meet revenue targets.
Officials also confirmed that applications from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have dropped sharply. Analysts link the decline to inauspicious dates, the real estate slump, and excise policy changes in both states.
