Telangana Wine Dealers Association asks govt to introduce tender system for bar and restaurant licenses

Telangana Wine Dealers Association president, D Venkateswara Rao said wine shops do not have security and must enter a tender process for licenses every two years

Hyderabad: The Telangana Wine Dealers Association demanded the State government introduce the system of bi-annual tenders for the bar and restaurant licenses, on the lines of wine shops. This move, according to the association, would generate revenue for the government.

Speaking to presspersons here on Tuesday, Telangana Wine Dealers Association president, D Venkateswara Rao said wine shops do not have security and must enter a tender process for licenses every two years. Same rules must be imposed on bars for their licenses.

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“Wine shops do not know whether they will get their licenses after completion of two years. But for the bars, it’s renewed every year. Biannual tenders for bars for their licenses will aid the government generate revenue,” Rao said.

The association also demanded the government withdraw its decision permitting bars to sell pint, nip and dip. It complained that due to this decision sales in the wine shops have dropped by 20 percent.

“The bars and restaurants are not only selling liquor by the peg to the restaurant customers, but also are selling liquor and beer as sealed bottles at MRP prices to the takeaway customers. This way they are doubling as the bar and retail outlet. Besides, because of extended hours of business, the bars cater to retail customers visiting them after the closure of retail outlets at 11 pm. This has affected the retailer’s sales by almost 20 percent,” Rao explained.

The association flagged the issue of bars failing to maintain proper restaurant facilities, despite the requirement of such a facility operational with a valid GST registration, to a hold B2 licence.

“The bars serve only snacks to minimise establishment costs, yet they continue to project themselves as victims of financial loss. The hygiene standards in several bars that claim to operate restaurants are also subpar, creating health risks for customers,” he said.

Rao said the bar and restaurant association continues to complain that permit rooms were affecting their business. “Several customers prefer permit rooms as they allow consumption of liquor at MRP rates, making them a more affordable option compared to bars,” he added.