Liquor revenue to touch Rs 21k Cr in AP this year

Vijayawada: Revenue through liquor sales is likely to set a record in Andhra Pradesh in 2021.

This is despite the YSRC government's commitment to make Andhra Pradesh a dry state in a phased manner.

The AP government has already pocketed over Rs14,000 crore in the first eight months (January to August) of 2021. The revenue may cross over Rs 20,000 crore by the end of this year.

Deputy Chief Minister (excise and prohibition), K Narayana Swamy said their government was committed to enforcing prohibition in a phased manner as promised by the chief minister.

He also said that they have already reduced the number of liquor outlets from 4,380 to 2,934. He said the government had also taken a decision to reduce the number of bars by 40 percent including those operating in star hotels. He said that about 840 bar licenses have been issued and which would be brought down to 487.

The minister said that the consumption of liquor and beer has drastically come down in the last two years, thanks to various measures initiated by the government. He said that IMFL consumption was reduced by 37 percent and beer by 77 percent.

As per the data, the AP government earned revenue of Rs17,625 crore through liquor sales in 2019, Rs16,979 crore in 2020, and Rs 14,375 crore (January to August) in 2021. Given the trend, the revenue through liquor sales in the state will cross over Rs 21,000 crore this year.

TDP leader and former excise minister KS Jawahar accused the YSRC government of playing dangerous games with the health and lives of the people by following illogical policies regarding the manufacturing and sale of liquor.

After coming to power, Chief Minister Jaganmohan Reddy has promised prohibition. Initially, the government increased liquor rates saying that this would discourage the tipplers in the state. Now, it reduced the rates to boost sales and revenue, he alleged.

"The government is now reducing liquor rates by 20 percent. Before doing so, it should explain to the people why it increased the liquor rates. The quality brands that were available during the previous TDP regime are being brought again in the state," he added.