Tipplers toast local labels as big brands lose way in policy maze
Mumbai | New Delhi: Changes in state liquor policies are creating a never-before-seen scarcity of popular brands such as Royal Stag, Budweiser and Old Monk, worsened by the code of conduct for the general election, causing supply chain disruption, and delays in label registrations and licence renewals.
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Liquor stores in Delhi are pushing unheard whisky brands like 'Party Special', 'Russian Nights' and 'O Darling' whose sales totalled 55,000 cases, 30,000 cases and 20,000 cases, respectively in April. Same is the case in Andhra Pradesh where whisky brands Royal Palace sold 2 million cases while Daaru House and Old Timer Blue sold 1.2 million cases each last fiscal. Even in Telangana, mainstream brands are limiting supplies due to payment delays, leading to local brands.
«Though the model code of conduct is meant only for new policy announcements, fact is, in some states it's being given as a reason to stall or delay routine approval process. Licence approvals are taking inordinately long in states like Delhi, routine production shift approvals are on hold in Telangana, payments cycles from corporations are getting delayed and so on,» said Vinod Giri, director general of industry body Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies.
«We understand some of it could be due to staff shortage due to election duty, but that cannot hold good for places where elections are over or are weeks away. Some of it seems to be bureaucratic apathy which, coming on
