Kollu Ravindra also issued a stern warning against unauthorised liquor outlets, commonly known as belt shops
Vijayawada: Excise minister Kollu Ravindra stated that increasing the price of liquor by ₹10 per bottle would generate an additional ₹100 crore in annual revenue for the state.
Speaking to the media at the Secretariat on Tuesday, the minister dismissed concerns about any negative impact on the state exchequer due to the 14% increase in the trade margin on issue price, which benefits liquor shop licensees. He asserted that the government was allotting liquor shops transparently to revive liquor brands and had introduced a new liquor policy after rectifying anomalies in the previous administration's policies.
Regarding liquor shop allotments, he revealed that the government had received a staggering 90,000 applications, generating ₹1,800 crore for the state exchequer. He emphasised that the allocation process was being conducted transparently, except in six districts where the election code was in force.
On the supply of quality liquor at ₹99 per bottle, the minister explained that 12 types of tests were being conducted before sending liquor to shops for sale. He added that liquor was being supplied directly from AP State Beverages Corporation Limited depots under a closely monitored mechanism.
He also issued a stern warning against unauthorised liquor outlets, commonly known as belt shops. He stated that individuals selling liquor to these shops would face a penalty of ₹5 lakh for the first offence, and upon a second offence, their licence would be cancelled.
