Hyderabad: A recent survey by the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP) shows that Telangana is the top state in India for alcohol sales, with residents spending more on liquor than anywhere else. On average, each person in Telangana spends ₹1,623 on alcohol, compared to ₹1,306 in neighboring Andhra Pradesh. The survey also highlights high spending in Punjab (₹1,245) and Chhattisgarh (₹1,227), while states like West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tripura, and Madhya Pradesh have lower alcohol expenditures.
Telangana has about 2,620 licensed wine shops and over 1,000 bars and pubs. During the recent Dasara festival, liquor sales in the state surpassed ₹1,000 crore, with around 11 lakh cases of liquor and 18 lakh cases of beer sold. Furthermore, Telangana leads southern states in beer sales, selling an impressive 302.84 lakh beers from April to October this year, compared to Andhra Pradesh’s 169 lakh beers. This high level of consumption reflects both the state’s growing alcohol market and its importance as a revenue source in the southern region.
