Andhra Pradesh excise officials to study policies in various states as part of efforts to formulate a new excise policy by October 1. (DC File Image)
VIJAYAWADA: The Telugu Desam-led alliance government would come up with a new excise policy for Andhra Pradesh on October 1.
State excise and prohibition director Nishant Kumar issued a communique recently, underlining the need for a study of the practices/policies being followed in states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Four teams of officials in the ranks of excise deputy commissioner, assistant commissioner and inspector would be formed for this purpose. These teams would take up a study on aspects like the running of shops and bars, pricing of liquor and its procurement, quality control, digital payment mode, setting up of de-addiction centres, etc.
They would also identify top-quality liquor from MNCs and find out the feasibility for their sale in terms of availability, acceptability and affordability.
The teams are also asked to take up a study of the existing policies on liquor shops and bars. By August 12, they should submit reports highlighting the best practices being adopted in the respective states by August 12.
The state government would pay more attention to the 'track and trace' system from the point of distilleries where the liquor gets manufactured, up to the liquor shops where liquor gets sold in retail to the consumers, to ensure that there are no lapses.
They would also identify top-quality liquor from MNCs and find out the feasibility for their sale in terms of availability, acceptability and affordability.
The teams are also asked to take up a study of the existing policies on liquor shops and bars. By August 12, they should submit reports highlighting the best practices being adopted in the respective states by August 12.
The state government would pay more attention to the 'track and trace' system from the point of distilleries where the liquor gets manufactured, up to the liquor shops where liquor gets sold in retail to the consumers, to ensure that there are no lapses.
Excise sources note that the previous government’s excise policy drew criticism not only from the consumers but also from the opposition parties. There was non-availability of quality liquor, sale of local brands and non-acceptance of digital payments.
The sources claim the state government aims at an excise policy that would make quality liquor available to the consumers and setting up of more de-addiction centres.
As the term of the present excise policy will end by Sept 30, the state government intends to bring in the new policy from October 1.
As the term of the present excise policy will end by Sept 30, the state government intends to bring in the new policy from October 1.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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