Five bars sealed for selling `sarkari’ liquor at premium

Visakhapatnam: Excise officials have sealed five high-end bars for 'illegally’ selling subsidized government liquor at a premium in the Vizag city.

Acting on a tip-off, the officials raided bars and restaurants in different parts of the city and found the subsidized liquor meant for the government vends being served to the customers at a premium.

The officials immediately sealed three bars and issued notices to their management.

Sources said the bars were buying subsidized liquor from the government outlets and selling it to their customers at a very high price.

Sources said liquor in the government-run outlets is sold at discounted rates and the bars exploit this concession to earn quick bucks.

After the new liquor policy, the government has levied extra taxes on the bars. Accordingly, the bars have passed the burden to the customers by sharply increasing the prices. For each 180 ML bottle, the bars are charging Rs 70 extra from a customer.

Since the government-run wine shops close at 8 pm, the booze lovers head for the bars which remain open till 11 pm.

Deputy Commissioner of Excise T. Srinivasa Rao said the bars should desist from selling liquor meant for the government outlets.