Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh government has extended the deadline for renewal of retail liquor shops for the 2026-27 excise year by two days to September 23, giving liquor retailers additional time to complete the renewal process and pay the prescribed renewal and application fees. Excise Commissioner Sridhar Chamakuri said the extension would help retailers complete the required formalities within the revised deadline.
The state government has notified 3,650 retail liquor shops for renewal across Andhra Pradesh. Against the total renewal retail excise tax (RET) and application fee demand of Rs 933.44 crore, the government has so far collected around Rs 676 crore. Officials expect to collect the remaining Rs 257 crore over the next few days following the extension.
Under the annual RET component, the total demand was Rs 2,454.76 crore, while the current installment demand stands at Rs 613 crore. Of this, around Rs 441 crore has been collected, leaving a balance of Rs 172.34 crore. The permit room RET demand stood at Rs 249.15 crore, with approximately Rs 62 crore collected so far.
According to the Excise Commissioner, the combined demand under renewal RET, annual RET and permit room RET was Rs 3,637.35 crore. The current installment demand is Rs 1,630.18 crore, of which the government has collected Rs 1,179.63 crore, leaving a balance of Rs 450.55 crore.
→ IMFL Worth Rs 1.2 Crore Seized in Chandauli; Five Arrested for Smuggling Liquor to Dry Bihar→ Germany Expands Alcohol Bans at Major Train Stations to Curb Violence
District-wise payment rates have varied considerably. Guntur recorded one of the lowest payment rates, with 118 of the 138 notified retail shops opting for renewal and 71 operators completing their payments, resulting in a payment rate of around 56%. YSR district recorded a payment rate of about 59%, while Bapatla stood at approximately 66%. In contrast, Alluri Sitharama Raju and East Godavari recorded payment rates of around 95% each.
Tirupati had the highest number of notified retail liquor shops at 248, of which 177 operators had completed their payments. The Excise Department has also decided to conduct a draw of lots to grant licences for shops that are not renewed within the prescribed deadline.
The two-day extension is expected to provide retailers with additional time to complete payments and renewal formalities, while the government continues to work towards meeting its excise revenue targets for the 2026-27 excise year.
About the Author
