The Andhra Pradesh government has approved the establishment of 11 premium liquor stores, with applications opening until December 31, 2024. (DC File Image)
VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh government has given permission to set up 11 premium liquor stores in nine districts.
The government on Tuesday directed the prohibition and excise department to issue gazette notification district-wise for this purpose, covering the municipal corporation limits of Vijayawada (NTR) and Visakhapatnam, two each; while Rajahmundry (East Godavari), Kakinada, Nellore, Kadapa, Anantapur, Kurnool and Guntur will have one each.
District prohibition and excise superintendents would issue the gazette notifications from Tuesday evening. A non-refundable application fee of Rs 15 lakh would have to be paid.
Excise sources said the last date for applications is December 31. The licence for the premium stores is likely to be issued in January, 2025. No permission will however be given to consume liquor in premium stores.
The district-level committee will comprise the excise deputy commissioner, excise assistant commissioner and district prohibition and excise officer. It would scrutinise the applications to ascertain the suitability of the proposed location and whether there is compliance with all the norms. Also, the financial capability of the applicants will be checked by verifying his/her IT returns etc.
The committees will forward the applications to the excise commissioner, who will verify them and forward to the state government with a recommendation to give or not give licence for the premium liquor stores.
The government will set up an evaluation committee to further subject the applications to scrutiny. Based on its recommendations, the government will give the final nod.
The selected entities should pay a Rs 1 crore licence fee. It will go up by 10 per cent every year for five years.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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