Telangana liquor licence deadline extension challenged in High Court

The Telangana High Court has accepted a writ petition challenging the State government’s extension of the liquor shop licence application deadline. Critics say the move aims to raise revenue and cite a similar 2019 AP case where the court set aside government orders

Hyderabad: The Congress government’s move to raise more revenue by extending the last date for filing applications for liquor shop licences will now come under legal scrutiny, with the Telangana High Court accepting a writ petition challenging the extension. The court has scheduled the petition (WP 32030/25) for hearing on Friday.

The State government had extended the last date for filing applications from October 18 to October 23. In its orders, the Excise Department said the decision was taken after receiving appeals from a few officials that many applicants could not submit applications due to the BC bandh on Saturday and the resulting disruption of banking and public transport services.

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However, this was seen by many as a mere excuse, since the extension of the deadline was viewed as a move to get more applications, each with a non-refundable fee of Rs 3 lakh, thereby generating more revenue for the cash-strapped government.

Those opposing the move pointed out that when the Andhra Pradesh government extended the last date for filing applications for bar licences in 2019, several applicants had moved the court. After hearing arguments, the court had set aside the government orders, calling them arbitrary and against the rules.

Now, with applicants in Telangana filing a writ petition, officials are keeping their fingers crossed.

Till October 18, about 90,000 applications were filed, and after the extension, about 4,000 more were submitted till Wednesday evening. Thursday is the last date for filing applications.