From Sangareddy triple jackpot to Suryapet couple striking gold, Telangana’s liquor lottery sees big winners

Hyderabad: This year’s liquor shop lottery across Telangana turned into a fortune fair, as several individuals and families walked away with multiple wine shop licenses in the high-stakes draw held on October 27.

Conducted under strict supervision by the District Collectors, the process was monitored through CCTV and video recording. It saw 2,601 of 2,620 liquor shops being allotted successfully under the oversight of the State Excise Department.

Triple jackpot in Sangareddy

Luck poured generously in Sangareddy district, where three individuals secured three liquor shops each. Local businessman Rajeshwar Goud, who applied for 24 outlets, struck gold by winning Shop Nos. 1, 3 and 8 in Sangareddy town.

Vamsidhar Reddy of Patancheru, who had filed over 100 applications, also bagged three shops, while Bhoopathi Reddy joined the exclusive ‘triple winners’ club with three outlets of his own.

Couple turns lucky in Suryapet

In Suryapet, a couple identified as Elikatti Bharat and his wife Shravani, found their names drawn for one liquor shop each, turning the lottery into a moment of shared family celebration.

Across Telangana, 19 shops could not be allotted due to a shortage of applications. These include seven in Kumuram Bheem Asifabad, six in Adilabad, two in Jayashankar Bhupalpally, three in Shamshabad and one in Sangareddy.

Fresh applications will be accepted until November 1, followed by a separate draw on November 3.

Double delight in Warangal Rural

In Warangal Rural, a massive 1,958 applications were received for just 57 shops, proving once again the enthusiasm surrounding the trade. The draw, held at Nani Gardens on Hunter Road, was conducted by Additional Collector Sandhya Rani.

Among the winners were Gampa Rajeshwar and his wife Sambalaxmi from Narsampet, each winning a shop, making it a double delight for their family.

First shop license to a woman in Karimnagar

A significant milestone was achieved in Karimnagar district, where the first liquor shop license (Gazette No. 1) went to a woman, Ponnala Santhosh of Katnapalli village in Peddapalli district.

Adding to the day’s surprises, Palle Venkatesham of Malkapoor, Kothapalli mandal, won the Ramnagar (Reserved Goud) shop with just one application, outsmarting others who had filed dozens.

Ballepalli youth and Andhra traders among winners

In Ballepalli, young entrepreneurs were among those who struck gold in the draw. Syndicate groups that had applied strategically also emerged successful.

Interestingly, traders from Andhra Pradesh managed to win 12 shops across Madhira, Sathupalli and Khammam, marking a notable cross-border success.

All successful applicants will receive trade licenses from December 1, when the new liquor policy comes into force.

Vaira couple bags three shops

In Vaira, Khammam district, fortune tripled for Pandi Naresh and his wife Manasa, who collectively secured three liquor shops.

Naresh individually bagged Shop No. 62 in Vaira, while Manasa, through a syndicate, won two more shops — at Dachapuram (on the Andhra border) and Konijarla.

Their triple triumph has become the talk of the district, with locals dubbing them the ‘jackpot couple.’

Government teacher among allottees

In Mahbubnagar, a government school teacher’s name figured among the winners, sparking debate among other applicants. A rival trader complained to the District Collector, arguing that government employees should be barred from participation.

However, excise officials clarified that any person aged 21 or above is eligible to apply, and there is no specific restriction on government employees. The collector will take a final call on the complaint.

Women shine in multiple districts

Women applicants emerged as strong contenders this year, with several districts recording a high number of female winners.

In Mahbubnagar, 14 women won liquor shops; in Nizamabad, 20 outlets went to women across Nizamabad, Bodhan, Bheemgal and Morthad circles.

Likewise, Siddipet district saw 20 women win shops, and in Vikarabad, 13 women were successful — including one from Mominpet, who bagged two separate outlets.

Hat-trick in Palamuru

In the Palamuru region, half of the five liquor shops went back to sitting license holders. The Christianpally Wines Group achieved a rare hat-trick, retaining its shop for the third consecutive term.

Adding to the day’s astonishment, Mukkamula Mahesh applied for five shops and won all five! Another highlight was Ramulamma, who beat 153 applicants to secure a single shop, vowing to run it herself without leasing it out.

Eargatla winner repeats success

In Nizamabad, the much-contested Eargatla liquor shop, which drew 96 applications, was again won by Sridhar Reddy of Anksapur, who had also won it in the previous round.

Locals jokingly said Reddy had ‘stepped on the tail of luck itself,’ as it’s extremely rare to win the same highly sought-after shop twice in a row.

Lucky numbers dominate the draw

The draw produced some quirky numerological trends. Token No. 18 proved to be the luckiest of all, securing eight shops across Telangana, followed by Token No. 3 (seven shops) and Token No. 10 (six shops).

Liquor policy valid till 2027

The new liquor shop policy will be effective from December 1 and will remain in force until November 30, 2027. The Excise Department has instructed all winners to complete their formalities by November-end to commence business from the first day of the new license term.