Andhra Pradesh’s new excise policy will make it possible for consumers to buy established liquor brands at affordable prices starting October 12. Under this policy, customers will be able to purchase 180 ml of any brand of liquor for just ₹99. The government aims to generate ₹5,500 crore in revenue through the establishment of 3,736 licensed private liquor shops, with 340 shops reserved for the ‘Geetha Kulalu’ community, which focuses on social equity.
The new policy, approved by the State Cabinet on September 18, will issue licenses for selling Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) and foreign liquor (FL) to private individuals or entities through a selection process. These licenses will be valid from October 12, 2024, to September 30, 2026.
The licensing process will involve a lottery system, allowing applicants to apply for multiple shops, with a non-refundable fee of ₹2 lakh for each shop. Additionally, there will be a special category for premium store licenses, with 12 licenses available to offer a high-end retail experience in major cities like Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Guntur.
