Objections from neighbouring communities and non-availability of space is delaying the opening of toddy shops in the twin cities, Telangana Minister for Excise and Prohibition T. Padma Rao has said.
Speaking to newspersons after unveiling a new logo for the Excise & Prohibition Department here on Monday, the Minister said of the 103 toddy shops sanctioned for the twin cities’ area, the toddy-tappers cooperative societies which were given licences for setting up toddy shops were able to open only about 55 so far.
“All the norms in vogue for giving licences to toddy shops such as maintaining specified distance from educational institutions and places of worship are being followed. The licensed societies are unable to open toddy shops in some areas due to objections from people in the neighbourhood,” he stated.
Besides, non-availability of necessary space is also a major problem in setting up toddy shops as there was 10 years gap due to ban in the city and the space where the shops existed in the past were being used for other purposes now, Mr. Rao said.
Asked about the revenue from sale of liquor in Telangana, the Minister refused to divulge details but said there was higher growth in sales in 10 districts, when compared to the income there in combined Andhra Pradesh.
