The Andhra Pradesh state cabinet which met in Amaravati on Wednesday approved the new liquor policy focussing on supply of quality liquor of premium brands at cheaper rates, besides establishment of premium outlets.
The new excise policy will come into effect from October 1.
The cabinet decided to revert to pre-2019 policy, wherein the retail liquor outlets will be given to the private dealers, unlike in the earlier method wherein the government itself was doing wholesale and retail business.
State information and public relations minister K Parthasarathy told reporters after the cabinet meeting that the government’s objective was to sell liquor at reasonable prices to safeguard the health of the people.
According to reports, the cabinet decided to fix the average price of a quarter bottle of liquor at Rs 99.
“All major and popular liquor brands would be made available in the wine shops, instead of unknown brands introduced during the previous Jagan government,” the minister said.
Stating that the notification on liquor outlets would be released in another two or three days, Parthasarathy said the cabinet decided to make certain amendments to the IMFL and FL trade control act-1993 to see that the prices were brought under control.
The new policy would be in force for two years, which will help the retailers to be part of the system. Keeping in view the government’s commitment for social justice and economic empowerment of weaker sections, 10 percent of the retail outlets would be reserved for toddy tappers’ community.
In all, 3,736 retail outlets would be allotted through lottery system. The bidders should pay 50 percent of the proposed slabs towards licence fee. This will make the system transparent and impartial, the minister added.