Liquor Shops in Towns See Rush as Polls Shut Rural Outlets
Liquor outlets in Kurnool saw a nearly 30 per cent rise in sales as rural customers flocked to urban shops during election-related closures.
Liquor shops in municipal areas have been witnessing a heavy rush over the past two days as tipplers from rural areas flock to towns to purchase liquor following the closure of outlets in villages due to the ZPTC and MPTC elections.
As campaigning ended on November 3, authorities announced closure of liquor shops in rural areas from 5 p.m. on that day until 5 p.m. on November 5, when polling concluded. However, liquor shops and bars in municipal areas remained open as municipal elections have already been completed.
Taking advantage of this, hundreds of people from rural areas rushed to the nearby towns to purchase or consume liquor. Several political leaders have also reportedly arranged supplies of liquor bottles from urban areas during the elections.
Thousands of people from Kodumur, Panyam, Alur, and other areas travelled to Kurnool city to buy liquor. As a result, liquor outlets witnessed an unusual rush from November 4. Customers purchased additional stocks to meet their requirements.
Liquor shops in rural areas opened at 5 p.m. on November 5. However, they will again remain closed from the morning of November 7 in view of the counting of votes for the ZPTC and MPTC elections.
With another round of closure expected, tipplers have been stocking up on liquor in advance by purchasing bottles from outlets in municipal areas.
An excise official said liquor sales in urban areas increased by nearly 30 per cent over the past two days.
