The Andhra Pradesh government has announced a new liquor policy aimed at addressing the issues of illegal alcohol sales and improving the quality of available liquor in the state. The policy, set to be implemented from October 1, introduces several changes, including the reduction of liquor outlets and the introduction of premium brands.
Key Changes in the New Policy
Bar Allocation: Under the new policy, a bar will be allocated for every 20,000 to 30,000 households, compared to the previous policy, which allowed one bar for every 50,000 households during the Jagan Mohan Reddy administration. This change is expected to reduce illegal liquor sales by providing more regulated outlets.
Elimination of Cheap Liquor: The government plans to completely remove low-quality liquor brands like Boom Boom, President, and Three Capitals, which were prevalent during the previous administration. Instead, the policy will pave the way for premium brands such as Royal Stag to be available in the market.
Price Adjustments: The previous government priced liquor at a premium, selling Rs. 60 worth of liquor for over Rs. 200. The new policy aims to lower these prices to make liquor more affordable, aligning with the rates during the earlier Chandrababu Naidu administration. A committee will be set up to negotiate with distilleries to bring prices down to these levels.
Permit Rooms: The government will reintroduce permit rooms, which were removed by the previous administration. These rooms allow individuals to consume alcohol in a controlled environment, aiming to reduce cases of public drinking and related social issues. Permit rooms will be allowed primarily in urban areas rather than rural ones.
The new policy is expected to curb illegal alcohol sales, reduce antisocial behavior, and provide a more controlled and quality-oriented liquor market in Andhra Pradesh.
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