Those caught for smuggling alcohol into the state could face 3 to 10 years in jail and a fine of up to Rs 100,000 or as decided by the court
Release Date – 08:00 AM, Thu – 1 June 23
A customer buys bottles of liquor at a shop in Hyderabad. Photo: Surya Sridhar
Hyderabad: If you are an alcohol lover, or wondering how much you are actually and legally allowed to bring into Telangana for your own consumption or as a gift to friends or family, then you need to be aware of the GST regulations before purchasing alcohol.
Passengers from abroad can bring up to 2 liters of foreign alcohol purchased from duty-free shops. In addition, individuals are allowed to carry 4.5 liters of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) liquor and 7.5 liters of beer bought from licensed shops in the state for personal use only, not for commercial purposes and not for sale. Similarly, domestic and overland passengers are not allowed to bring any alcohol bottles.
Revenue Minister V Srinivas Goud recently directed relevant officials to take stern action against individuals found to be illegally possessing alcohol exceeding the permitted limit. Apart from smuggling gangs, most of the time it is non-resident Indians and tourists from other states who are arrested at the airport, the IRD official said.
“When a person enters the state from abroad, each person can only carry two bottles of alcohol. According to the “Telangana Consumption Act”, it is strictly forbidden to carry any alcohol, even a bottle of alcohol, on domestic flights,” said a senior official of the tax office. officials said. However, there are also many citizens who carry alcohol on planes, private cars, trains, and private cars, and are investigated and arrested.
The official added that it was outlaws and liquor gangs who were buying bottles in bulk from out of town and trying to smuggle them into the state. For example, the state of Telangana has banned the sale of alcohol in Goa. Smugglers, however, sell for 20 to 30 percent more. Those caught smuggling alcohol into the state will be registered under the Telangana Excise Act and chapters of the IPC. If convicted, they could face three to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to Rs 100,000, or as the court decides.
Meanwhile, those who are unaware of the Telangana Consumer Act Amendment, which banned alcohol on domestic flights, will continue to question the GST department when they receive a case against them.
“Recently, my friends from Goa and Mumbai were caught by IRD officers at RGIA airport with two wine bottles even though customs law allows them to carry up to six bottles each. They were registered and later released on bail, said a businessman in the city.
However, Inland Revenue officials insisted special operations will continue to crack down on the flow of illicit alcohol.
