Liquor stores, wine shops and bars named after gods and goddesses are a common scene in southern states especially in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Maybe, the owner feels that his business will do well if he gives it a 'godly' push.
However, all the liquor outlet owners in Andhra Pradesh may have to think about another name for their shop as the state government is planning to impose a ban on the use of names of gods and goddesses for wine shops and bars.
The proposal was made by endowments minister P. Manikyala Rao of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Sources said Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is examining the proposal and will soon take a final call on this.
There are over 4,950 liquor retail outlets and 800 bars in the state. The government had issued an advisory in June last to the owners of all liquor outlets in the state not to name their shops after gods and goddesses. However, most of the outlets still bear the 'divine' name.
Now the government is planning to get stricter and tell the owners that it is not ethical to use the names of gods for selling liquor.
