JOIN USThe “hic” days will be back in Telangana with the TRS government lifting ban on Desi daru which was imposed by the then TDP government in 1994 in the undivided Andhra Pradesh.
Telangana, which has deregularised and patronised pure toddy close to a state drink to provide gainful employment to toddy tappers, is now getting ready to sell poor man’s alcohol from this October onwards.
Armed with a new liquor policy, the Telangana government plans to liberalise poor man’s alcohol but slap a 15-20 per cent hike on IMFL (Indian Made Foreign Liquor) brands to mop up Rs 14,000 crore in excise revenue during the year 2015-16.
Inspired by the Maharashtra government’s model of selling cheap liquor in the form of “desi daru”, the Telangana government is planning to sell it in sachets of 90 ml and 180 ml capacity which will cost Rs 17 and Rs 35 respectively. The government has sent a committee from Excise Department to Maharashtra to study the concept of Indian made liquor which has recommended sale of Desi.
The decision at that time was taken to curb the sale of the infamous “gudumba” (illicit distilled liquor) distilled in the surroundings of Dhoolpet in old city here by “Gudumba Mafia”. Gudumba is famous among working class because of its instant kick also supplied in pouches.
According to Principal Secretary of Revenue Ajay Misra, the Telangana government has decided to hike prices by 15 per cent, making the IMFL dearer, except beer. The government believes that the price parity will encourage the sale of desi daru or Indian made liquor.
It was in 1985 during N T Rama Rao’s tenure as chief minister of united Andhra Pradesh, government produced liquor with a brand name of “Varuni Vahini” in bottling plants in all 23 districts to contain adulteration and hooch calamities. The policy was later abandoned by his son-in-law Nara Chandrababu Naidu who took over as the chief minister.