Telangana govt faces heat over ‘arbitrary’ liquor tender extension; applicants likely to move court

The Telangana government's decision to extend the liquor shop licence application deadline has sparked widespread criticism and legal threats. Drawing parallels with a 2019 Andhra Pradesh case where a similar extension was struck down by the High Court, applicants allege unfair practices and political manipulation.

Hyderabad: The State government’s extension of deadline for filing of applications for liquor shop licenses, from October 18 to October 23, is raising many eyebrows, because it was not long ago that the High Court of Andhra Pradesh had struck a similar extension of deadline in the neighbouring State, calling it ‘arbitrary’, ‘contrary to rules’ and ‘against public interest’. It had also cancelled the orders extending the last date.

This legal precedent obviously has escaped the notice of, or was ignored by, the Congress government here in its desperate attempt to rake in more money after hiking the application fee.

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However, the illegal nature of the extension has not gone unnoticed by applicants, who submitted their applications in time and are now likely to lose their chances when there will be more applicants in the fray after the deadline extension. Raising objections, they are now likely to move the court against the Prohibition and Excise Department’s decision to extend the deadline.

According to the original schedule issued by the department, October 18 was the last day for submission. However, the deadline was extended to October 23 following what the government claimed were ‘requests from officials’.

The move has drawn sharp criticism from applicants, who allege that the decision is arbitrary and contrary to procedure. They argue that similar objections were raised in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh in 2019 when the last date for bar licence applications was extended. In that instance, the AP government had issued a notification on November 29, 2019, inviting online applications for bar licences, each with a non-refundable fee of Rs 10 lakh.

The deadline, originally set for December 6, was extended to December 9 citing technical issues and a poor response. The applicants there then approached the court, stating that the extension was unfair to those who had applied within the original timeframe. They cited examples such as Rajampeta and Hindupur, where valid applications matched the number of bars notified.

The extension, they argued, increased competition unnecessarily and reduced the guaranteed chances of timely applicants.

After hearing the arguments, the court in 2020 observed that the State government had driven the petitioners to the court due to its own fault and set aside the orders extending the last date.

“Such extension of time is nothing but arbitrary. The extension of time is contrary to the rules and against public interest. The procedure adopted by the respondents is irrational and without any basis or statutory power,” the court had said while cancelling the extension.

Similar objections are now being raised in Telangana by applicants, who contend that filing applications before the original deadline involved significant time, effort and expense. By extending the deadline, the department has encouraged unfair practices, they allege.

Despite the increase in the application fee from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh this time, the department appears focused on generating more revenue, they claimed, adding that they would explore all legal options to challenge the move.

Other sections have also questioned the government’s intent.

“Scam alert. Extending the liquor tender application deadline in Telangana raises serious concerns. Many applicants had already submitted their forms for the lottery, but now, at the last minute, the Revanth Reddy government has extended the last date,” an X user, Uttam, posted.

“When the authorities already know how many applications each shop received, this sudden move gives room for political manipulation, allowing certain groups to enter the lottery strategically. Transparency and fairness in the tender process must be protected,” he added.

In its order, the department claimed that Deputy Commissioners of Rangareddy, Warangal, Nizamabad, Mahabubnagar and Medak districts sought an extension, citing disruption of public transport and banking services during the BC bandh on Saturday. They argued that the extension would give a fair opportunity to all applicants.

However, speculation persists over possible vested interests behind the move. In the previous term, around 1.30 lakh applications were received for 2,620 shops across the State. This time, till Sunday, nearly 89,000 applications were filed. Officials said though the total number of applications was lower this time, revenue from application fees had increased.