Telangana strike: Liquor vends feel the pinch

HYDERABAD: In a sign that the Telangana strike is really having an effect, liquor shops across the state began to sport no-stock boards.Supplies have dwindled ever since excise department staff joined the Telangana Sakala Janula Samme before Dasara.The liquor trade is normally inured to most strikes and has been known to brave even moderate riots.However, this time the Telangana strike is biting.Though no shop has closed yet, most of the shops are down to just a few brands and the remaining stocks are expected to last only a few days more if the Samme continues further.Some 3,500 staff of the excise employees are on strike, which is said to be costing the state Rs 35 crore per day in lost revenue.However, the liquor trade is such that it tries its best to get round strike and such other disruption.This time, liquor traders have a secured from the government permission to source their supplies from anywhere in the state, instead of only notified depots in the licensed area.So many vendors have been requisitioning supplies from Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema. With stocks runnling low, many vends in the capital are extracting a premium from tipplers.Beer is said to be `20 costlier and harder liquor `40 more.