Buy alcohol at ₹99 under Andhra's new liquor policy
The Andhra Pradesh government is set to implement a new excise policy from October 12, under which all established liquor brands will be sold at affordable rates. The policy, approved by the State Cabinet on September 18, will allow consumers to buy 180ml of any liquor brand for ₹99. The decision is expected to boost the state's revenue from alcohol sales significantly.
New policy to boost state revenue
The new policy is anticipated to generate around ₹5,500 crore in revenue for the state government. Following its implementation on October 12, a total of 3,736 private shops across Andhra Pradesh will be licensed to sell liquor at retail prices. These licenses will be valid from October 12, 2024 to September 30, 2026. The selection process for granting these licenses is yet to be disclosed by the authorities.
Special provisions for 'Geetha Kulalu' community
The new policy also includes a provision for the 'Geetha Kulalu' community, a toddy tapping group. Out of the total number of shops to be licensed, 340 will be reserved specifically for this community to promote equity and social justice. These shops will be selected through a lottery system with applicants required to deposit a non-refundable fee of ₹2 lakh per shop.
Premium liquor stores and model shops under new policy
The new excise policy also introduces a special category for premium store licenses. The state government plans to issue 12 Premium Store Licenses across major cities including Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Rajamahendravaram, Kakinada, Guntur, Nellore, Kurnool, Kadapa and Anantapur. Additionally, private retail wine shop dealers can upgrade their outlets into model shops by paying an additional retail excise tax of ₹5 lakh.
New category of low-priced liquor, license fees details
The government order also announced the introduction of a new category of low-priced liquor, costing ₹99 or less. This move is aimed at providing affordable options while maintaining quality standards and curbing demand for illicit liquor. Dealers selected under this policy will be required to pay a retail excise tax ranging from ₹50 lakh to ₹85 lakh, depending on the area and population.
