Andhra Pradesh is set to conclude its current liquor policy by the end of this month. A cabinet sub-committee tasked with developing a new liquor policy presented its report to Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu today. The new proposals are expected to be discussed in the cabinet meeting scheduled for tomorrow, according to N. Manohar, a member of the sub-committee.
The revised liquor policy will come into effect on October 1. Excise Minister Kolu Ravindra announced that the new policy will ensure the sale of quality liquor at lower prices and allocate 10% of liquor stores to first-time distillers. Under the new policy, wine shop licenses will be distributed through a lottery system, with collectors responsible for the allocation. Additionally, taxes on liquor will be adjusted.
Minister Ravindra criticized the previous government for its handling of the excise department, alleging that it led to the department’s downfall and established a task force to manage illegal liquor operations. He accused the former administration of restricting government liquor stores to certain brands and claimed they exploited the public under the pretext of liquor regulation. Ravindra also alleged that the previous government appointed unqualified individuals to the excise department, negatively impacting public health with counterfeit liquor brands. He further accused the YCP of monopolizing distilleries for specific brands, resulting in a loss of ₹19,000 crores to the state treasury.
