TRS member urges lowering liquor price in Telangana to help ‘poor addicts’

Hyderabad: The ‘Battle against the Bottle’ is going on in several states by women to ban liquor, as cheap alcohol is taking a toll on their husbands’ health. At the same time, a Telangana Rashtriya Samithi member wrote to the Excise Department to reduce liquor price as it has become “expensive” for the “poor” alcohol addicts. TRS in-charge for Goshamahal, RV Mahender Kumar, wrote to the Excise Commissioner to reduce liquor prices, as “poor people” are unable to afford the same on Monday.

Earlier, the Telangana government released the orders, hiking liquor prices, on November 10, 2020. Moreover, the TRS member is demanding to revive the old rates for cheap liquor. Mahender Kumar claimed in his letter that many people who are below the poverty line are dependent on cheap alcohol and the price rise is seriously affecting them. Considering the same, he appealed to continue with the old prices instead of the revised price.

He reasoned, “If the price of the cheap liquor continues to be high, and then people might once again opt for ‘Gudumba’. The entire Gudumba business of alcohol might once again boom in Doolpet area, which was once notorious for the same.”

Earlier, the Telangana government hiked the prices of all liquor by ten per cent, which came into force from December 18. This move aimed to boost the revenue of the state. With the rise, the liquor prices have gone up by Rs 20 to Rs 80.