Chief Ministers of the two Telugu states are known to replicate one another’s schemes and decisions. The Telangana government is expected to give its nod following Andhra Pradesh’s decision to throw open the doors of bars after a long gap recently.
Opposition parties in both states are raising a hue and cry over the opening of liquor stores which are proving to be corona hotspots. They are up in arms again after AP opened its liquor bars and TS will follow suit soon.
To be opened in a week…
Latest news is that AP has allowed bars to recommence their operations from the day IPL began. It has also extended the duration of licenses for bars. In Telangana, the bars have remained closed since the last six months. K Chandrasekhara Rao’s government had earlier allowed opening wine shops, but has not given a green signal to open bars.
Since the neighbouring AP has given permission to open the bars, the TS CM is also reportedly in favour of doing the same. In-principle approval has already been conveyed to the senior bureaucrats and stage is set for bars to reopen within a week.
The closure of bars since the last six months has not only hit the owners hard, but also thousands of people who have been deprived of their livelihoods. A meeting of the excise minister, senior babus and officials from medical and health department officials has been convened to come up with guidelines to accord permissions. Official sources say the bars will be allowed to operate under strict COVID protocols.
Dasara festivities
The demand for liquor is expected to go up with the ensuing festivities of Dasara. For the last six months, people have been deprived of celebrating seven festivals due to lockdown. Besides, people in Telugus states have gradually accustomed themselves to living with the COVID pandemic. In view of the developments, the TS government is also planning to restore normal life in the towns and cities across the State.
In Hyderabad, the metro has recommenced its operations along with several other business operations. A notification is expected in a couple of days for tipplers and bar owners to celebrate the Dasara festival in good ‘spirits’.