Reopening of bars is providing a financial lifeline to the state government struggling to mobilise funds to meet the payments in October. But tipplers are complaining of huge spike in prices and absence of their favourite brands.
Liquor revenue is providing the much-needed relief to state government which is reeling under severe financial crisis. Exchequer has become empty as Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is on a freebie distribution spree in the name of welfare. The government is searching for funds to pay salaries, pensions and interest on loans for the month of October. It needs Rs 14,000 crore to meet these obligations. It is impossible to mobilise that amount in two weeks.
The Chief Minister has requested the Centre to come to the rescue of the state. He sought Rs. 14,000 crore immediately. He also asked his party MPs to explain the situation to the Centre as the Parliament session is going on. A team of officials led by finance minister Buggana Rajendranath Reddy too is on its way to New Delhi, as part of efforts to get help.
In this backdrop, bars which remained closed for the last six months, have started operations in the state after the government gave permission with increased taxes on sale of liquor.
Double kick with IPL
Incidentally, bars began to function in Andhra Pradesh the same day as the IPL season began. It is a double bonanza for tipplers who can enjoy the cricket games in bars. The government has already been earning good revenues from wine shops. With the opening of bars, its income has doubled. According to officials, the revenue earned through liquor shops and bars in four days is around Rs. 400 crore. If this pace continues, the state will overcome its financial crunch.
No choice
Despite reopening of bars, tipplers are complaining that their favourite brands of liquor are nowhere to be seen. They are forced to adjust with the brands imported into the state. People who were accustomed to particular brands of liquor for years are finding it difficult to adjust to new brands. There are complaints that the police have been harassing those who carry liquor bottles from other states in spite of High Court allowing bringing of three bottles from other states.
Liquor prices are hitting the ceiling
The days of seeing stars after getting a kick from liquor have gone. Now people are forced to see stars with high prices of booze. Tipplers rue that there is a 300 per cent rise in prices of liquor in bars. They want the government to have a rethink on the abnormal increase in prices which are burdening the common man who are addicted to alcohol.
