Hyderabad: The liquor business in the state has now attracted many from other states. In a surprise move, numerous business groups from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Haryana have submitted a significant number of applications for wine shop licences in Hyderabad and surrounding districts. Until last year, outside applicants were primarily from Andhra Pradesh (AP), who were vying for these licences.The latest influx has left local players frustrated, as they argue that these out-of-state syndicates were obstructing the chances of regular operators in securing licences.The local and non-local friction has even escalated tensions in Malkajgiri, where local retailers clashed with applicants from UP and AP. To ease tensions, excise officials have instructed applicants to submit their applications directly to the Hyderabad excise office. Incidentally, a woman from AP submitted over 100 applications in Rangareddy district.Sources indicate that the surge in applications could be attributed to sustained social media campaign by the excise officials, promoting the lucrative prospects of wine shop licences in the city.“Businessmen, natives of other states living in Hyderabad, may have caught wind of the wine shop tenders and encouraged their counterparts in other states to file nominations. Many jumped at the opportunity without considering other options, filing nominations indiscriminately. A good number of them wouldn’t even operate the business themselves should they secure a licence. They most likely intend to sell it at a premium to those already in the liquor retail business,” a source explained.The source added that these groups have been submitting multiple large-scale applications to ensure the final licence ultimately lands in their hands.The uncertainty and competition were also impacting local players. “A businessman, who has been in the wine shop business for years, filed as many as 100 applications, fearing he might miss out on the licence,” the source said.The excise department has raised the non-refundable application fee from 2 lakh to 3 lakh this time.“This adjustment was made in anticipation of a decrease in applications from AP, considering that in the previous licence term, many applicants came from the neighbouring state. However, with the new excise policy in AP, officials expected a decrease in income from applications. Instead, a different scenario unfolded this time, with numerous applicants from other states entering the fray,” the source revealed.
