Hyderabad: While the state government is closing its treasury accounts from May 24, wine dealers in the state are rushing to AP Beverages Corporation to book liquor in advance.
From May 26, the AP Beverages Corporation will stop sale of liquor to dealers. Rumours of a bandh on liquor sales from May 26 to June 2 throughout the state is untrue said D. Venkatesw-ar Rao, representative of AP Wine Dealers Association.
In view of bifurcation of the state on June 2, all treasuries will remain closed from May 24. The revenue department will allot code numbers to Telangana and AP Beverages Corporations starting from May 26, a process that could take a day or a week depending on officials. After allotment of the code wine dealers can pay the amount through that code and avail of liquor from the corporation. Fearing that the process may take 10 days, the dealers are rushing to the corporation to get liquor stocks for ten days.
Dealer in the twin cities have booked Rs 10 crore worth of liquor sufficient for 10 days. While statewide, dealers have booked Rs 600 crore worth liquor for the same number of days.
The representative of the Wine Dealers Association said if money is paid before May 24 to the Beverages Corporation, dealers can lift their stock even after May 26.
He said for some dealers the Corporation have been allotted depots to keep their liquor stocks and can sell their stock even after May 26.
He added that after that Beverages Corporation will not sell liquor sales to dealers till government allots code to the two states. The money will go to the respective states.
Meanwhile, after June 2, the liquor allotted to Andhra Pradesh cannot be sold in Telangana and vice versa. According to sources the excise officials were of the opinion that the present stock should be allotted to both states and the labels saying "Not for the sale in Andhra Pradesh state" and "Not for the sale
in Telangana state" can pasted on fresh stock. But the final decision will have to taken by the higher officials.
