Harish Rao Questions El Niño Logic Behind Telangana Liquor Production

Telangana Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao has said that the El Niño phenomenon would have no impact on liquor production in the state, particularly beer manufacturing. He said the government would take necessary measures to ensure that breweries do not face water shortages and indicated that Srisailam water would be utilised to the extent possible to meet their requirements.

Jupally’s remarks have triggered a sharp political response from former minister and BRS leader Harish Rao, who questioned the government’s approach towards the impact of El Niño on different sectors. He sought to know why the phenomenon was being cited as a reason for difficulties in agriculture and power supply while being ruled out as a concern for liquor production.

Harish Rao said the government had been attributing power cuts to El Niño whenever the state faced electricity shortages. Similarly, he alleged that the same factor was being cited when concerns arose over the availability of irrigation water for farmers.

Against this backdrop, Harish Rao questioned the minister’s assertion that El Niño would not affect liquor production and sales. He described the position as contradictory, pointing to what he termed a difference in the government’s approach towards farmers and the liquor industry.

The former minister said the government had been stating that climatic conditions such as El Niño could pose challenges to providing free power and irrigation water to farmers. However, he questioned why similar concerns were not being raised when it came to ensuring adequate water supplies for breweries and maintaining liquor production.

Harish Rao also questioned the government’s revenue priorities, asking whether El Niño suddenly ceased to be a concern when the objective was to increase liquor production and sales and strengthen the state’s revenues.

He further alleged that the Revanth Reddy government appeared to be giving greater importance to liquor revenue than to the welfare of farmers and the broader public.

The remarks have brought the issue of water allocation and government priorities into the political spotlight, with the ruling side highlighting measures to ensure uninterrupted liquor production while the opposition is questioning the consistency of the government’s explanation regarding El Niño and water availability.