Bengaluru, Oct. 9 -- Telangana's liquor market is staring at disruption. The country's top alcoholic beverage industry bodies have called on the state government to urgently clear Rs.3,151 crore of dues to suppliers, warning that further delays could severely disrupt liquor supply and destabilize the state's alcohol market ahead of the festive season. Celebrations around Diwali right through Christmas and the New Year mark the peak of alcohol sales in the country.

In India, the pricing and taxation as well as regulations of liquor fall under the purview of state governments. Each state has its own excise policy that oversees the sale, pricing and distribution of alcoholic beverages, which is why the pricing varies across states. Taxes co...