Telangana allows bars, clubs and events till 1 am for New Year; special excise checks from Dec 27-31

Hyderabad: In a major move ahead of New Year celebrations, the Telangana Excise Department has relaxed liquor sale timings while simultaneously warning of strict enforcement against violations.

Prohibition and Excise Commissioner C Harikiran issued special orders permitting extended liquor service on December 31 to facilitate celebrations in a regulated manner across the State.

Bars, clubs and events allowed till 1 am

As per the special orders, bars, clubs, permitted events and tourism locations across Telangana will be allowed to serve liquor up to 1 am on December 31. The relaxation applies only to establishments that have obtained prior permission from the Excise Department.

Liquor shops to close by midnight

The Commissioner clarified that A-4 liquor shops have been permitted to sell liquor only up to 12 midnight on December 31. No sale beyond the stipulated time will be allowed under any circumstances.

Strict action against violations

The Excise Department has cautioned that stringent action will be taken against violators, including those involved in unauthorised sale, over-serving or violation of permitted timings.

Focus on safe and lawful celebrations

The Excise Commissioner also said the relaxation in timings, coupled with intensified enforcement drives, is aimed at ensuring safe, orderly and lawful New Year celebrations across Telangana, while curbing illegal liquor sales and related offences.

Excise announces special enforcement drives across Telangana

Ahead of New Year celebrations, the Telangana Excise Department has also announced a series of special enforcement drives and inspections to curb the illegal sale and transportation of liquor and narcotic substances across the State.

Special raids from December 27 to 29

Excise Enforcement Director Shahnawaz Qasim said that special raids will be conducted between December 27 and 29, targeting offences under the NDPL and NDPS Acts.

The operations will be carried out jointly by Excise Department personnel along with STF, DTF and Enforcement teams. The focus will be on detecting non-duty-paid liquor, ganja and other drugs, particularly in the erstwhile districts of Khammam, Nalgonda, Warangal, Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy.

He added that special drives against illicitly distilled liquor (ID liquor/country liquor) will be intensified in Warangal and Nagarkurnool districts.