Major shift in liquor retail in the new excise policy of Andhra

The Andhra Pradesh government is set to roll out a new excise policy, starting 12th October 2024. As part of this policy, retail liquor shops will be privatised through a lottery system, with the auction process already in motion and the draw scheduled for 11th October.

Successful bidders will be granted licenses for two years, during which they must pay the Retail Excise Tax (RET) in six equal installments annually. 

The state has fixed the number of liquor outlets at 3,736 for the 2024-26 period, with 3,396 in the open category and 340 reserved for members of the toddy tapper community.

Applicants can apply for multiple shops, with a non-refundable fee of Rs. 2 lakh per application. 

The new policy will also see the opening of 12 premium liquor stores in Andhra Pradesh, with a ban on licenses in Tirupati, a prominent temple city. 

Model shops will be introduced across Andhra Pradesh, and the government aims to generate around Rs. 5,500 crore from the initiative, while offering budget-friendly liquor options priced at Rs. 99.