HYDERABAD: Excise officials have intensified checks at various checkposts and are gearing up to book smuggling cases if people are found with a large number of liquor bottles while coming back from other states to Telangana.
Many people from Telangana are landing in states like Goa and where liquor is available at cheaper rates and bringing back a stockpile of bottles in cars, buses and other transport
vehicles.
Officials said that in the last two months, hundreds of bottles were confiscated at Shamshabad airport itself. “Many people ignorant of the new excise rules are bringing a lot of bottles from other states which is punishable,” said a senior official.
People returning from foreign countries have permission to get two duty-free liquor bottles. Officials said because of people getting liquor from other states, it is resulting in huge loss of revenue for excise department.
“During summer holidays, many from Telangana, especially Hyderabad, go to Goa and
to get liquor for personal consumption. But now, it has become a business,” an official rued.
Goa has a policy where wine shops are permitted to give two liquor bottles to be sold anywhere in the country. Apart from this, Goa also has the most costly brands available at lesser rates when compared to other states.
Officials also expressed concern over some people resorting to selling liquor from other states and making it adulterated to earn a quick buck.
