Liquor sales are in full swing in Andhra Pradesh after 3,396 shops opened across the state from October 16 following the new Excise Policy of the coalition government. Liquor lovers are celebrating with the availability of quality liquor at lower prices. Liquor sales have been massive in almost two months setting new records.
The Excise Department said that liquor sales worth Rs. 4,677 crore were made across the state from October 16 to December 9. Of these, 61.63 lakh cases of liquor and 19.33 lakh cases of beer were sold. While the government ran the liquor shops during the previous government’s tenure, now the coalition government called tenders for liquor shops and shops were allotted through lottery.
The government received an income of about Rs. 2,000 crore in the form of these tenders. The government has said that quality liquor will be sold at Rs. 99 per quarter. Some brands have been made available to this extent. It seems that soon some more national companies are ready to provide it at that price.
On the other hand, the government is ready to take action even if liquor is sold at a price of one rupee more than the MRP. Shops that violate the MRP and sell liquor to belt shops will be fined Rs. 5 lakh for the first time. If they do it again, the shop license will be canceled.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu himself has ordered that belt shops should not be allowed in the state under any circumstances. He has instructed the officials to take strict action even if the owners of liquor shops encourage belt shops, even if they bring liquor from other areas. He said that every shop must have CCTV cameras and boards stating the details of prices.
He also advised the officials to set up a toll-free number for complaints to this extent. On the other hand, those who have acquired liquor shops say that they are losing money. They want to be given a 20 percent margin.
