Alcoholic Beverage Associations Urge Telangana to Clear Rs 3,900 Crore Dues

Three major alcoholic beverage associations—CIABC, BAI, and ISWAI—have urged the Telangana government to clear over Rs 3,900 crore in outstanding dues owed by the Telangana State Beverages Corporation. Despite excise revenues rising from Rs 9,000 crore in 2014 to nearly Rs 38,000 crore in 2023-24 and record liquor licence fees collected recently, payment delays exceeding a year are affecting industry sentiment and investment. The sector contributes over a third of the state's tax revenue, generating Rs 2,300-2,600 crore monthly, and associations warn that continued delays could harm investor confidence and supply chains ahead of Telangana's participation in the WEF in Davos.