Beer stock from clubs, bars to go to wine shops in Telangana

Hyderabad: The Telangana Excise department has decided to transfer the current stock of beer in bars and clubs to wine shops in the state. In an order issued on 15 May, the department allowed the transfer of beer which has a‘Best before’ date from 17 May to 31 May, 2020.

The order also specified that wine shops in the state (A4 licensees) should pay an amount equal to the price set by the Telangana State Beverages Corporation Limited (TSBCL) as of 5 May, for the beer stock being transferred.

The director of Prohibition and Excise department said these measures were introduced because various bars and clubs wanted to prevent losses amid the COVID-19 lockdown and had requested permission to dispose of their stock of beer.

All bars and clubs in Telangana have been shut down since 14 March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On 6 May, the state had reopened all wine shops but the bars and clubs still remained closed during the lockdown.

The order said all transfers would be done by the respective Excise stations and directed station house officers to calculate the stock of beer at the bars and clubs and then transfer them to A4 shops within their jurisdiction. In case, the beer stocks are higher than the number of A4 wine shops, then they will be transferred to others within the same Excise district, the order stated.