Telangana Sees Record Liquor Sales During Dussehra Festival
Hyderabad October 14
The Telangana Excise Department has announced a surge in liquor sales during the Dussehra festival, with figures indicating a massive consumption spike across the state. From October 5 to October 11, 2024, approximately ₹820 crore worth of liquor was sold, marking one of the highest sales periods during a festival season.
Breakdown of Liquor Sales:
The daily sales from October 5 to 11 show a significant demand for alcohol:
October 5: ₹127.18 crore
October 7: ₹129.39 crore
October 8: ₹102.93 crore
October 9: ₹120.16 crore
October 10: ₹139.16 crore
October 11: A record sale of more than ₹200 crore
With the total sales surpassing ₹820 crore in just six days, the Dussehra festival period has become a key driver of liquor consumption in Telangana. Notably, liquor godowns remained closed on Sunday, October 6, which saw a dip in sales, but the subsequent days experienced a sharp rise, compensating for the holiday lull.
Statewide Liquor Sales
The state has a total of 2,620 liquor stores and 1,171 bars and restaurants contributing to the high liquor sales. Except for Hyderabad and some other major urban areas, alcohol sales across Telangana were significantly higher than expected during the festival period. Many rural and semi-urban areas also saw a notable increase in demand.
The Department attributes this surge to the festive celebrations, with Dussehra being a widely celebrated event across Telangana. Excise officials have noted that sales usually peak during festivals, but this year’s numbers exceeded previous trends.
Slight Decline in Greater Hyderabad
While the overall state saw record liquor sales, the Greater Hyderabad region, which includes Secunderabad, Medchal-Malkajgiri, Saroor Nagar, Shamshabad, and Vikarabad excise districts, experienced a slight dip compared to last year. In 2023, sales during the same period in Greater Hyderabad totaled ₹317.23 crore, whereas this year the figure is marginally lower at ₹312 crore.
Total Liquor Shops in Greater Hyderabad
Greater Hyderabad is home to 674 liquor shops, and while sales dropped slightly compared to last year, the demand for alcohol remained consistent. Officials believe this dip could be due to several factors, including shifting consumption patterns or the impact of economic conditions.
Festival Impact
Dussehra is known to be a period of increased spending across various sectors, and liquor sales have traditionally surged during this time. The Telangana Excise Department closely monitors these sales, as they contribute significantly to the state’s revenue. Despite the slight dip in the Greater Hyderabad region, the overall growth in liquor consumption statewide during the festival period remains notable.
Future Projections
Looking ahead, the Excise Department expects liquor sales to continue rising with upcoming festivals like Diwali. The state government is also exploring ways to regulate and manage liquor sales more effectively, balancing revenue generation with public health and safety concerns.
The huge revenue generated from alcohol sales during festivals remains a crucial part of Telangana’s economy, and the Dussehra festival has once again highlighted the state’s strong demand for liquor during such celebrations.
