Hyderabad: Beer Prices May Be Revised, New Liquor Brands to Be Introduced
The Telangana government is planning to revise beer prices and invite new liquor companies to supply fresh brands in the state. This move is expected to take place soon.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has directed officials to ensure a transparent process for selecting liquor companies. The Excise and Prohibition Department has been instructed to simplify trade policies for the introduction of new liquor brands. Companies already supplying alcohol to the Telangana State Beverages Corporation Limited (TGBCL) will also be considered.
A notification will be issued shortly, giving new companies a one-month deadline to apply. The government will enforce strict rules for permitting these companies. Applications must include brand names, and the selection process will focus on quality standards and supply capacity to maintain transparency.
During a review meeting, officials informed the Chief Minister that the United Beverages Company had pressured the government to increase beer prices by 33.1%. The Chief Minister firmly stated that the government would not yield to such pressure. He instructed officials to compare beer prices in neighboring states like Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra before making any decisions.
The final decision on revising beer prices will depend on recommendations from the Price Fixation Committee. This committee is headed by a retired High Court judge. Additionally, the Chief Minister clarified that pending bills owed to the Excise Department had been cleared systematically over the past year.
To address any remaining financial issues, the Finance Department has been tasked with resolving pending dues left by the previous government in an organized manner.
