Telangana HC seeks state's response on new liquor policy

The Telangana High Court has issued notices to the state government over its liquor policy for 2025–27, following a petition challenging key provisions of the excise framework.

The single bench passed the directions while hearing a plea filed by businessman Gaddam Anil Kumar, who termed the new policy’s conditions as arbitrary and burdensome.

The petitioner contended that the non-refundable fee of ₹3 lakh per application for allocation of retail liquor outlets is exorbitant when compared to the earlier structure, where the non-refundable component was nominal and accompanied by a refundable earnest money deposit, adjustable for successful applicants and refundable to unsuccessful ones.

The plea also highlighted that the policy fails to provide any monetary concessions in the application fee, Retail Shop Excise Tax (RSET), Special Retail Excise Tax (SRET), or shop turnover tax for applicants from SC, ST and OBC communities, despite their eligibility for reservation quotas.

Additionally, the petitioner objected to the omission of provisions similar to Clause 57 of the August 2023 liquor policy circular, which had allowed postponement of the draw of lots for allotting retail A4 liquor shops under specific conditions. The absence of such provisions, he argued, raises concerns over transparency and fairness in the selection process.

The court has sought the state government’s response and adjourned the matter for further hearing.