Telangana Rings in New Year with Record Liquor Sales
As Telangana welcomed the New Year with grand celebrations, the state government saw a significant financial boost. Liquor sales broke all previous records, generating nearly Rs 1,000 crore in revenue. This amount also includes fees collected from New Year events at star hotels, pubs, musical gatherings, and family get-togethers.
On Monday alone, the Excise and Prohibition Department reported liquor sales worth Rs 402.62 crore. An impressive 3,82,265 cases of liquor and 3,96,114 cases of beer were sold in just one day. To meet the demand, Telangana Beverages Corporation Limited ensured seamless supply by allowing licensed wine shop dealers to lift stocks directly from depots. Special teams were deployed at the depots to help deliver liquor quickly to the shops.
The sales surged throughout the day, with high demand reported not just in Hyderabad but also in other urban areas, municipal corporations, and major panchayats. Officials noted that while daily liquor sales in the state typically range between Rs 80 crore and Rs 100 crore, the numbers quadrupled to over Rs 400 crore during the New Year celebrations.
With the winter season in full swing, whisky, brandy, and vodka were the top choices for most consumers, while younger crowds leaned toward beer. Licensed liquor shops ensured availability of premium foreign brands to cater to customer preferences.
To further streamline operations, special vehicles were deployed for transporting liquor stocks to wine shops across the state. This helped meet the heightened demand efficiently.
Officials revealed that December 2024 saw liquor sales totaling Rs 3,523.16 crore, a significant jump from Rs 2,764 crore in December of the previous year. The government had anticipated Rs 700 crore in revenue during the last two days of December alone, which contributed to the overall financial windfall.
