Tirupati: While Chittoor is reeling under extreme drought conditions on one side, on the other hand liquor had a free flow across the district as the sales skyrocketed in the last three months, according to excise officials.
According to the excise department, the district saw a liquor sale to the tune of Rs 335 crore in a span of just three months between July and September.
As per the official records, as many as 96,88,752 quarter bottles (180 ml) were sold between the three-month period in Chittoor district.
The district registered an average sale of liquor per day of Rs 3.68 crore during the 91-day period ending with September.
And Tirupati city topped the list by recording a liquor sale of Rs 75 crore, registering an average monthly sale to the tune of Rs 25 crore.
According to excise officials, Tirupati circle recorded a liquor sale of Rs 153 crore as against Rs 142 crore liquor sale recorded between July and September last year, registering a 7.5 per cent rise in the liquor sales this year.
The excise department is confident if the sales continue this fashion right through the year, the district can expect a sale of liquor to the tune of Rs 1300 crore this year.
One important reason being attributed to the rise in the liquor sales is the sale of liquor as per the “Maximum Retail Price (MRP) rates” during the three-month period although towards the end of December, the “MRP rates” will slowly go for a toss as the state government and the officials begin easing the “rules” to give a free hand to the liquor mafia gradually.
And as the rules were gradually eased, like elsewhere, even in the home district of the Chief Minister, “wine shops” will start fleecing people by charging a surplus over the “MRP rates” anywhere between Rs 10-Rs 15 based on the brand of the liquor, earning an additional revenue to the tune of several crores of rupees across the district.
