Hyderabad: Businessmen from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and women were among those, who bagged liquor shops that were allotted through a draw of lots across the State on Saturday.
The Prohibition and Excise department has carried out the exercise in the presence of the district Collector concerned. It got Rs.1,357 crore as non-refundable application fee collected from as many as 67,849 applications for 2,620 shops.
Of the 2,620 shops, 131 were allotted for STs, 262 for SCs and 393 for Gouds community. Since the department has received more applications than expected, the exercise continued till late evening at several places.
Over 10 women and businessmen from AP got liquor shops in the draw of lots conducted in Khammam where 6,084 applications were received by the excise department for 122 notified shops.
For 48 shops in Kamareddy district, over dozen women got the shops. The draw of lots for one shop could not be taken up since the department received a fewer applications. In all, the department has stopped the draw of lots for 43 shops in the State for failing to get low applications.
The department has already started an enquiry to know the reasons behind getting fewer applications for 43 shops. Based on the report, the department would take a final decision to allot the shops to successful applicants later.
For 80 shops in Hyderabad, the department has received 1,503 applications and for 99 shops in Secunderabad, it received 1,519 applications.
Mild tension prevailed at Jagtial district when a youth tried to end his life for pouring diesel on himself for stopping the draw of lots for getting only half a dozen applications for the shop in Sarangapur. The police personnel, who were present at the spot, foiled the attempt of the youth and counseled him.
In Ranga Reddy district, the department has conducted the exercise at Saroornagar indoor stadium
Now you can get handpicked stories from Telangana Today on Telegram everyday. Click the link to subscribe.
Click to follow Telangana Today Facebook page and Twitter .