Hyderabad: Liquor prices in Telangana are set to increase by 20 per cent soon. While the Excise department has sent proposals to the government seeking a hike of up to 30 per cent, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is likely to approve a 20 per cent hike, said sources. The announcement is expected to be made after the conclusion of the ongoing Budget Session on March 27. The government is expected to earn an additional Rs 15,000 crore with the 20 per cent price hike.

The price hike was due last year as the price revision committee reviews liquor prices once in three years. The committee constituted in the undivided state had recommended a 20 to 30 per cent price hike last year. However, the proposal was kept on hold due to bifurcation of the state and subsequent political developments. Later, the committee submitted separate reports for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

In 2005-06, liquor prices were hiked by 15 per cent and by another 15 per cent in 2009-10. The Telangana government has raised the revenue collection target for the Excise department from Rs 2,823 crore last year to Rs 3,916 crore this year. The government plans to achieve this increased target by raising liquor prices. There has been no revision of beer prices in the last three years and the breweries are bringing pressure on the government to increase the prices. As per the proposed hike, beer will be Rs 15 costlier.