Hyderabad, May 14: With many wine shops allegedly charging more than the maximum retail price (MRP) for beer, the excise and prohibition department officials have decided to keep a check on various wine shops across the twin cities. They have also decided to crack down on liquor shops selling adulterated liquor in branded bottles.
With summer reaching its peak, most wine shops are trying to encash on customers’ making a beeline to liquor shops for a bottle of beer. For instance, Kingfisher beer is being sold for Rs 90 while the original MRP is Rs 70. Haywards 5000 Strong beer is being sold for Rs 110 than for Rs 75 while Budweiser is costing Rs 110.
A wine shop employees at Somajiguda was reluctant to sell beer at the MRP. “How can we run our business selling liquor on MRP? We have spent lot of money in obtaining the liquor licence. If we supply liquor at MRP, we will have to shut down the shop,” was his blunt reply.
“As per the Andhra Pradesh Excise and Prohibition Act, we will initiate stern action on wine shops found charging extra from customers than the MRP. We have received a number complaints about liquor shops allegedly re-manufacturing various branded products, blending them with different intoxicating substances,” PV Sunil Kumar, director, Enforcement wing said.
Sunil Kumar added they had information that a few wine shops in suburban localities in the twin cities are charging additional amount for liquor.
“We have constituted special teams comprising senior officials to crack the whip on illegal activities by wine shop managements.”
We also request customers to take a receipt for their purchase. If any wine shop denies giving a receipt, the customer can come to the excise office and lodge a complaint,” he added.
–Agencies