Liquor sales in Telangana surged to unprecedented heights a day before New Year celebrations, reaching a remarkable Rs 313 crore on December 30, a substantial increase from Rs 254 crore recorded on the same day last year. As the clock ticks towards the year-end, nearly 2 lakh cases were swiftly lifted from the depots of the Telangana State Beverages Corporation (TSBC) by Sunday afternoon, contributing to an overall festive fervor.

The figures provided by the TSBC showcase a consistent upward trend in the final days of 2023. Sales touched Rs 133 crore on December 28, followed by Rs 179 crore on December 29, and culminating in the staggering Rs 313 crore on December 30. With the TSBC estimating an additional sale of about Rs 135-150 crore on the last day of the year, the state's liquor sales are poised to cross the impressive milestone of Rs 750 crore between December 28 and December 31.

In the three days leading up to New Year's eve, the TSBC reported an extraordinary liquor sale worth Rs 625.7 crore, establishing a new benchmark for festive alcohol consumption. The breakdown of these figures reveals the sale of a total of 2.72 lakh cases on December 28, 3.58 lakh cases on December 29, and a staggering 5.8 lakh cases on December 30. Notably, on the peak day of December 30, nearly 2 lakh cases were lifted from the TSBC depots by afternoon.

Sources in the excise department indicated that most liquor vendors had fulfilled their requirements on December 30 itself, underscoring the day's distinction as the pinnacle of sales in the year-end period. The breakdown of purchases on that day included 3,729 cases of wine, 2.9 lakh cases of beer, and 2.92 lakh cases of other liquor. Anticipating a final surge, sales worth Rs 130-150 crore were expected on December 31.

Comparatively, this year's sales have witnessed a substantial increase over the previous year, with 5.8 lakh cases sold on December 30, compared to 3.31 lakh cases in the same period last year. The revenue generated also reflects this upward trajectory, soaring from Rs 254 crore last year to Rs 313 crore on the corresponding day this year.

Sources attribute this robust performance to the absence of specific sales targets set by excise department officials, indicating that the post-pandemic year-end sales have seen a notable uptick. As the year concludes, Telangana's liquor sales have not only met but exceeded expectations, painting a spirited conclusion to the year.