With the current bar policy set to expire on the 31st of this month, a group of ministers held a key meeting on Friday on the new excise policy. The meeting, held in hybrid mode from the Mangalagiri Excise Commissioner’s office, had an in-depth discussion on the formulation of the upcoming new bar policy.
Excise and Minerals Minister Kollu Ravindra and Energy Minister Gottipati Ravikumar attended the meeting in person. Nadendla Manohar, Kondapalli Srinivas, and Satyakumar Yadav participated in the meeting virtually. On this occasion, Excise Director Nishant Kumar gave a comprehensive explanation on the currently implemented 2022-25 bar policy.
He said that under the current policy, licenses have been granted to 840 standalone bars, 50 star hotels, and microbreweries in the state. It was also reported that 44 bar licenses were not renewed after their expiry. Comparisons of bar policies of neighboring states like Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Kerala were also discussed in the meeting.
Principal Secretary of Excise Mukesh Kumar Meena briefed the ministers on the views received from various associations. The meeting brought to the notice of the meeting the submissions received from the state wine dealers, star hotel associations and hotel owners’ associations.
The bar licensing policies followed in the past, their impact and the economic benefits of the new policies were explained. The ministers mentioned their suggestions and ideas. In addition to seeking information on the implementation of the current shop policy, suggestions were made to coordinate with the Tourism Department and formulate a policy in favor of tourism development.
Changes to be made to bars in new industrial corridors were also discussed. Views were expressed that policies should be brought to encourage young entrepreneurs to enter the field. Mukesh Kumar Meena said that the Excise Department will further consider and take forward the policy formulation based on these suggestions to finalize the Bar Policy.
He said that the new policy will be reviewed in the next meeting and a final decision will be taken. The meeting was attended by Enforcement Director Rahul Dev Sharma, Additional Commissioner Dev Kumar, Joint Commissioners and other officials.