Hyderabad: Inspired by the Maharashtra government’s model of selling cheap liquor in the form of “desi daru”, the Telangana state government is planning to sell cheap liquor (saara) in 90 ml and 180 ml packets, for Rs 17 and Rs 35 respectively.
The government wants to re-introduce saara, which was banned in 1994 in undivided Andhra Pradesh to check the sale of gudamba (illicit distilled liquor).
However, the Excise department is concerned that the sales of IML (Indian Made Liquor) will come down if saara is launched, affecting the revenues of the state government.
The government is thus trying to strike a balance between saara and IML sales. The state government earns nearly Rs 10,000 crore through sale of liquor, of which, 40 per cent is contributed by IML sales.
After the ban on saara, consumers from lower income groups had switched back to IML and beer. Those who could not afford them opted for gudamba.
However, the TS government is keen on banning gudamba soon since it has been severely affecting the health of consumers from lower income groups in rural areas and slums in urban areas, besides claiming many lives every year.
Recently, a committee from the Excise department, had visited Maharashtra to study the concept of “Desi Daru”. The committee recommended following the Maharashtra model.
