After Singareni tenders scam, BRS exposes excise licence irregularities

BRS leader T Harish Rao has accused the Telangana government’s Excise Department of running a liquor-linked racket involving irregularities of nearly Rs 45 crore, alleging manipulation of microbrewery licences and retail shop allotments to benefit politically connected individuals

Hyderabad: After flagging irregularities in the Singareni coal tenders, the BRS has now trained its guns on the Telangana government’s Excise Department, stating that it was running a massive liquor-linked racket benefiting politically connected players.

In an informal media interaction on Wednesday, BRSLP deputy leader T Harish Rao revealed that a key leader, his close aide and a Minister were involved in irregularities worth nearly Rs 45 crore.

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The microbrewery licences had become the latest currency of corruption. Of 110 applications received, around 25 were allegedly processed, with most of them informally reserved for individuals linked to powerful persons in the Congress government. While 21 licences were earmarked for the top powerful person, the remaining four were set aside for a senior Minister, he said, adding that each licence carried an unofficial price tag of Rs 1.8 crore, routed through the close aide of the top leader. The manipulation continued into retail liquor shop allotments in select cases without the mandatory lottery process.

Meanwhile, dues running into Rs 4,500 crore to liquor supply companies remained unpaid for over 16 months. This led to supply disruptions in several outlets, which is an unprecedented situation in a State heavily dependent on liquor revenues, he said. “As a result, certain brands, including Breezers, have remained unavailable in adequate stocks,” the BRS leader said, pointing to an internal tussle over a hologram tender that led to a senior IAS officer opting for voluntary retirement under pressure.

In contrast, farmers were left to fend for themselves, he said, pointing out that farmers in parts of Medak and Sangareddy were facing crop holidays due to water shortages, while breweries continued to receive uninterrupted water supply. “This government has prioritised liquor companies over farmers,” he said.

He said the government was neglecting welfare promises to toddy tappers and the Goud community, by denying them even insurance benefit of Rs 5 lakh provided by the previous BRS government. Telangana was being turned into a revenue machine for liquor, without any relief for people, he added.