AP government to ban liquor in phases

Amaravathi: As promised by Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, the Andhra Pradesh government is moving towards implementing a partial ban of liquor in the state. AP’s new excise policy will come into effect from October 1. The government is going to take over 3,500 wine shops and they will be run by the state beverages corporation from October 1.

Deputy chief minister and excise minister Narayana Swamy said that as part of the government policy, liquor will be banned in a phased manner in the state.

Speaking to the media on Saturday in Vijayawada Mr Narayana Swamy said, “After Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy took over as Chief Minister the government has closed 43,000 belt shops. So far 3,448 shops have been taken for lease. They will run between 10 am to 9 pm. The AP Beverage Corporation has taken over 475 shops. The government has recruited 3,500 supervisors and 8,033 salesmen to run these shops. The excise department will be monitoring these shops. Every CI and SI will monitor 10 liquor shops. The enforcement directorate has also been roped in for the implementation of new policy.”

In addition, every hospital will have a de-addiction center. Alternative employment will be given to those who are dependent on alcohol shops. The timings of the bar shops will be reduced. No permit rooms shall be available at the alcohol shops,” the deputy chief minister aid.

The excise minister alleged that the previous government considered liquor as a revenue generator. He said, “The present government is committed to the welfare of its citizens and is trying to ban liquor in phases. Already 4,788 cases were booked on illicit liquor in which 2,834 people were arrested.’