Andhra’s new excise policy to prioritise health, social equity

The Andhra Pradesh government has announced a new excise policy set to take effect from September 1, with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu vowing a more health-conscious and socially responsible framework than previous regimes. The move comes as the current policy nears its expiry, prompting the state to rethink its approach to alcohol regulation.

Breaking from the past approach that primarily focused on revenue generation, the new policy emphasises minimising the health and economic impact of alcohol consumption, especially on lower-income households. A key shift includes encouraging the sale of low-alcohol-content beverages to reduce addiction rates and ease the financial burden of alcohol on poor families.

The framework is being shaped by inputs from a dedicated ministerial sub-committee, reflecting a consultative and reformist approach.

In a significant step toward social justice, the policy also mandates that 10 percent of all bar licences be reserved for members of the Geetha worker community. The CM described this as a measure to ensure economic upliftment and stable livelihood opportunities for a traditionally marginalised group, integrating welfare into the state’s regulatory mechanisms.