Liquor shop licence applications fall sharply in Adilabad amid growing corruption

Applications for liquor shop licences have sharply declined in the erstwhile Adilabad district, prompting an extension of the deadline. Traders blame escalating bribe demands by officials and the pressure to supply liquor to elected representatives and bureaucrats for the drop

Adilabad: A sharp decline in applications for liquor shop licences in the erstwhile Adilabad district has forced the Prohibition and Excise Department to extend the deadline for submissions. Traders attribute the fall largely to mounting bribe demands by officials of multiple departments and the compulsory supply of liquor to elected representatives and bureaucrats.

Though the liquor trade continues to be seen as a lucrative business offering quick returns, traders say that it has turned into a burden due to the pressure of paying monthly ‘mamools’ to officials from departments such as Prohibition and Excise, police, revenue, and municipal bodies. The growing outlay for bribes, they allege, has discouraged many from entering the business.

---

“Wine shop owners have no choice but to allocate at least Rs 2 lakh a month for bribes to officials and public representatives. Only a few outlets in urban and border areas manage to make a profit. Most others are struggling to meet these unofficial expenses,” an experienced trader lamented.

He said shop owners pay bribes of around Rs 10,000 per official, depending on rank, in towns and mandal centres. In addition, they must supply premium liquor for parties organised by local MLAs during ministerial visits and provide alcohol to senior bureaucrats, including IAS officers, when top officials tour the districts.

Similarly, wine shop owners are required to host or provide premium liquor to senior police officers, IAS officials and lawyers during festivals such as Dasara and New Year celebrations. “We are directed to supply premium liquor to elected representatives and bureaucrats. If we refuse, we face difficulties in running our outlets,” another trader admitted.

Incidentally, the erstwhile Adilabad district has witnessed a steep drop in applications for the 2025–27 licensing period compared to 2023–25. Officials said 3,892 applications were received for 192 outlets across Adilabad, Nirmal, Mancherial and Kumram Bheem Asifabad districts, against 4,356 applications during the previous licensing period. The deadline for submissions was extended from October 18 to October 23.