HYDERABAD: When you buy alcohol from a retail outlet next time, just make sure you ask for a computer generated bill. The chances that you receive one are bleak though outlets are now mandated to give bills.
Even as the department of prohibition and excise has directed 2,144 retail outlets to document sale by scanning the hologram on each alcohol bottle, and generate a bill, hardly anyone seems to be bothered.
The department receives real-time data on sale of liquor as barcode on bottles are to be scanned before sale. However, in the absence of a bill, how would the customer ensure he is not sold spurious alcohol or smuggled liquor or find out MRP violations.
Meanwhile, coming to their rescue, State Wine Dealers Association president D Venkateswara Rao, says, “It is not practically possible to scan and generate bills. The rush outside outlets is unorganised at any time. No one asks for a bill.”
While giving away licenses to retailers last September, the department had directed outlets to install necessary hardware.
“With scanning of barcode at the time of sale, the dealer’s computer linked to department will update data on real-time basis. The station house officer of jurisdiction concerned will also get the real-time data,” said an official.
In a concerted effort, the state has made 98 per cent of liquor outlets to comply with installation of hardware so far.
“The advantage is that the retailer cannot sell any liquor other than what he is permitted to, whereas the department can keep track of the movement of inventory,” said NA Ajay Rao, joint commissioner and director (Enforcement).