Hyderabad: Senior BRS leader and former minister T. Harish Rao on Wednesday alleged large-scale corruption in the Excise department. He accused the Congress government of engineering a major Telangana excise scam through manipulation in the allotment of micro-brewery licences.
Speaking to the media, Harish Rao claimed that out of 110 applications received, the government plans to grant only 25 licences. Of these, he alleged 21 were allotted under the quota of a key Congress leader, and the remaining four under a minister’s quota. According to him, each licence was priced at ₹1.80 crore. Of this, ₹1.5 crore was allegedly routed to the leader and ₹30 lakh to a close aide.
He questioned the absence of a lottery system used for wine shop licences despite the high number of applicants. He further alleged that the government owes ₹4,500 crore to liquor supply companies, with bills pending for over 16 months. This has resulted in liquor shortages and dry shelves in many outlets, he said.
Telangana excise scam linked to favouritism in tenders, says BRS
Harish Rao also alleged irregularities in the awarding of hologram tenders. He claimed that contracts were handed to relatives of senior Congress leaders and ministers in a clear case of favouritism.
Turning to irrigation and agriculture, the BRS leader said the Congress government was favouring liquor firms over farmers. He cited the declaration of a ‘crop holiday’ across 40,000 acres under the Singur project in Sangareddy district and 30,000 acres in Medak district, officially due to repair works. Yet, beer companies in the same regions continued receiving uninterrupted water supply, he alleged.
He claimed senior Excise officials visited Sangareddy and instructed irrigation authorities to prioritise breweries even if it meant depriving farmers of irrigation. “Is this government working for farmers or liquor manufacturers?” he asked.
Harish Rao warned that such priorities could harm agriculture and rural livelihoods across Telangana.