Liquor price hikes may boost Telangana revenue, says Jupally Krishna Rao

Hyderabad: Liquor price hikes will not necessarily reduce drinking but can increase government revenue, Telangana Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao said. He made the remarks during an informal interaction with reporters in Hyderabad on Tuesday.

Jupally said liquor sales generated Rs.10,000 crore during the initial period of the KCR government. The figure later rose to Rs.36,000 crore, he said.

According to the minister, liquor sales revenue increased by 265 per cent during the 10-year period. At present, liquor sales generate about Rs.40,000 crore, he said.

Jupally added that the Congress government had increased the revenue by only Rs.4,000 crore since taking office. He cited figures while explaining the change in liquor revenue.

The minister also said 40 extra bars had opened under the Cure Urban area. However, he noted that bar owners also faced competition. Telangana, like other States, had similar competition among liquor outlets, he said.

Liquor price hikes and privilege fee impact bars and consumers

Jupally said the privilege fee did not cause losses to bars. However, he acknowledged that the fee placed some additional burden on consumers.

The minister also ruled out a water shortage for liquor production. He recalled that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had reviewed Krishna water and Dindi issues with officials on Monday.

Jupally said the government had continued to expand the ayacut under the Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Scheme. However, the State had not increased water sources in proportion to the expansion, he said.

The minister said he had explained to the Chief Minister that Telangana could benefit if officials drew water from the Srisailam backwaters instead of Edula.

He also outlined the difficulties that could arise from drawing water from Edula. In addition, Jupally said he had asked the government to supply Srisailam backwater to Nalgonda through Achampet.

Jupally seeks review of Dindi water from Edula reservoir

Jupally recalled that the Chief Minister had directed officials to conduct a detailed inquiry into supplying Dindi water from the Edula reservoir.

He also said he had earlier obtained a stay preventing Andhra Pradesh from taking Srisailam water when the reservoir level fell below 854 feet.

According to Jupally, Telangana had received water from Karnataka for a week. He also referred to restrictions on car washing in England and London amid water concerns.

The minister said Telangana would use Srisailam water to the maximum extent possible.