New Business Hours frightens Liquor Dealers

The new business hours introduced by the state government for liquor outlets (11 am - 10 pm) from the earlier 10.30 am - 11 pm is affecting the sale of liquor licences. Out of 6,596 liquor shops all over the state, only 5,759 were taken in the first round of lucky draw.

Government is planning to sell the remaining 837 shops in the second round of sale of liquor licenses. However, the response is poor especially in Hyderabad. Out of the 65 shops in the city, only 8 applications have been filed.

Liquor dealers were complaining that the new business hours were reducing the productive hours to 8 from the earlier 10 hours. The 10 pm -11 pm slot is very crucial for the dealers as the sale of liquor will be peak at that time. Government's new policy will cut down 50 t0 60 productive days per year, which eventually reflects in the reduction of profits. So the dealers were frightened and even after the second round of sale of liquor licenses, some hundreds of shops might be left unsold.