Unavailability of land and high rentals continue to hinder opening of toddy compounds in the city. As a result the Prohibition and Excise authorities could issue only 56 licences so far although the administration planned to grant licences for 103 outlets to toddy tappers associations. The State government lifted ban on sale of toddy in the city from October and a handful of toddy outlets were opened on the eve of Dasara. However, the locals complaining of nuisance opposed their opening.
Two months have passed since the authorities started issuing licences but only some associations have succeeded in getting licences.
“First thing is the people are opposing the toddy outlets in localities. Luckily, if we manage to get land either there is an educational institution or place of worship in vicinity. Moreover, those who are willing to lease out open plots are demanding high rentals,” says a member of toddy tapper’s association from old city. For a few of the toddy tappers, the enthusiasm has fizzled out owing to high operational cost. As the drink is being sourced from Nalgonda, Karimnagar, Mahbubnagar, Medak and Warangal districts, the outlet owners are spending anywhere between Rs. 4,000 and Rs. 5,000 for transporting a truckload of toddy. A bottle of toddy is priced at Rs. 25 at the outlets while in the neighbouring Ranga Reddy district it is being sold at Rs. 15. “Due to it many people on the outskirts of the city are heading to the toddy outlets in Ranga Reddy district. There are also doubts over the quality of the toddy available at newly opened outlets in city,” another toddy tapper revealed.
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The Prohibition and Excise officials admit to the problem. “Land related issues are hindering the opening of toddy outlets. However, we expect a few more outlets to come in the next few months,” Prohibition and Excise Deputy Commissioner, Hyderabad, M.M.A. Farooqui said.