Mon Dec 16 10:50:26 UTC 2024: ## Telangana Excise Minister Addresses Liquor Sales, Seizures, and Revenue in Assembly
**Hyderabad, December 16, 2024** – Telangana’s Prohibition and Excise Minister, Jupally Krishna Rao, addressed the state legislative assembly today, providing an update on alcohol sales, seizures of illicit liquor, and revenue generated during the first eight months of the 2024-25 financial year.
The Minister reported that the department collected ₹20,903 crore in revenue, comprising ₹10,295.58 crore in excise duty and ₹10,607.55 crore in value-added tax. He also stated that a significant crackdown on illegal liquor sales resulted in 6,915 cases being registered, leading to 6,728 arrests and the seizure of 74,425 liters of liquor and 353 vehicles between January and November 2024. The Minister clarified that while the Excise Act lacks a specific definition for “belt shops” (informal liquor outlets), the department actively addresses unauthorized liquor sales in villages according to existing excise laws.
Rao refuted allegations that the department issued memos to excise officials for falling short of sales targets. He highlighted the department’s parallel efforts in raising awareness about the harmful effects of alcohol and substance abuse, organizing 735 meetings with local leaders and educational institutions in high-risk areas.
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