India's Telangana government to reintroduce cheap liquor

India's Telangana government to reintroduce cheap liquor

Following Maharashtra's model of selling cheap liquor in the form of "desi daru", the Telangana government plans to reintroduce saara, or cheap liquor, which it will sell in 90ml and 180ml packets for Rs17 (S$0.37) and Rs35 respectively.

The government is keen on banning gudamba, illicitly distilled liquor, which has been adversely affecting the health of consumers from lower income groups in rural areas and in slums.

The excise department, though, is worried that the sales of Indian-made liquor (IML) will be reduced if saara is launched, impacting the government's revenue. Thus, the government will have to strike a balance between saara and IML sales.


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