United Breweries Requests a 33% Beer Price Hike; Minister Jupally Krishna Rao Responds

Telangana Minister Jupally Krishna Rao stated that United Breweries (UB) has requested a 33.1% increase in beer prices. He expressed concern that such a steep price hike would place a significant burden on consumers who purchase alcoholic beverages. To assess the matter, the government has constituted a committee led by a retired judge, and a decision on the price hike will be made based on the committee’s report.

The Minister further criticized the previous BRS government, claiming that it had incurred debts of approximately ₹8 lakh crore, leading to a monthly interest payment of ₹6,000 crore. Additionally, he revealed that around ₹40,000 crore in bills remain pending, including ₹2,500 crore related to the Excise Department. Since the new government assumed office, it has cleared outstanding dues worth ₹1,139 crore.

Speaking about beer stocks, Jupally Krishna Rao stated that the state currently has a stockpile of 14 lakh cases of UB beer. He also highlighted that beer prices in Telangana are lower than in neighboring states. "While beer costs ₹190 in Karnataka and ₹180 in Andhra Pradesh, it is priced at only ₹150 in Tamil Nadu and Telangana. We will ensure that prices remain affordable for consumers in our state," he added. The Minister affirmed that the government would not yield to pressure from United Breweries to increase prices.