In a significant move, United Breweries (UB) has announced the cessation of its beer supply in Telangana, sparking concerns about the availability of premium brands such as Kingfisher and Heineken in the state. Former minister Harish Rao has raised pertinent questions about the underlying motives behind the decision, taking to X (formerly Twitter) to share his thoughts.
Harish Rao highlighted key issues surrounding the company’s decision. “United Breweries’ claim that the Telangana State Beverages Corporation Limited (TSBCL) failed to clear dues on time is troubling. But the bigger question is whether this move is aimed at promoting local brands such as Boom Boom Beer and Biryani Beer at the expense of premium international brands,” he said.
United Breweries’ decision to halt beer sales to the Telangana government raises serious questions.
UB stated that TGBCL, the Telangana government’s beverage corporation, has failed to clear outstanding payments for previous beer supplies.
The suspension of beer sales by United…
— Harish Rao Thanneeru (@BRSHarish) January 8, 2025
Questions Raised by Harish Rao
Harish Rao also questioned if preferential treatment in bill payments, as opposed to a merit-based or seniority-driven approach, contributed to the current supply disruption.
“The stoppage of premium beer supply will likely impact consumers in Telangana. Is there a calculated effort to push local brands by creating a supply shortage for premium products?” he added.
Seven Beer Varieties to Face Supply Disruption
The halt in supply by United Breweries is expected to disrupt the availability of seven premium beer brands, including Kingfisher and Heineken, in Telangana. UB representatives met with the state’s Excise Commissioner on Wednesday, submitting an official letter confirming the supply stoppage.
UB Reason for Halting Supply
United Breweries attributed its decision to substantial losses over the last five years, citing the state government’s refusal to increase beer prices. Despite repeated requests for price revision, the company claimed that there was no response from the governmenT. in its communication to the excise department, UB confirmed that the supply halt will be effective immediately.