New AP liquor policy from Sept 1: CM Naidu

Amaravati: Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu emphasised that the State’s new liquor policy, set to take effect from September 1, will prioritise public health over revenue. He stated that while most governments view liquor policies primarily through the lens of income, the well-being of citizens must take precedence.

Reducing alcohol content in beverages

Addressing a review meeting on the Excise Department at the Secretariat, CM Naidu said, “A liquor policy should not be seen as a mere revenue-generating tool. It must be framed with the health of the people in mind. Reducing alcohol content in beverages can help mitigate health risks, and we must ensure that the homes of the poor are not destroyed due to the harmful effects of alcohol.”

The chief minister recalled how thousands of families suffered under the previous regime due to the sale of substandard liquor and reiterated the need for a responsible, people-centric policy. Ministers Kollu Ravindra, Kondapalli Srinivas, and senior officials participated in the review.

Key highlights of the new bar policy:

Effective Date: September 1, 2025

Basis: Recommendations from the Cabinet Sub-Committee

Total Bars in the State: Currently 840

Allocation Method: Bar licenses to be allotted through a lottery system

What will be the license fees?

- Rs 35 lakh annually for areas with a population below 50,000

- Rs 55 lakh for populations below 5 lakh

- Rs 75 lakh for populations above 5 lakh

Revenue Expectation: Rs 700 crore through license and application fees

Minimum Applications: At least four applications required per bar

Social Inclusion: 10 per cent of bar licenses will be reserved for the Geeta communities, continuing the model already in place for liquor shop licenses.

Increasing liquor sales in border areas

Officials also briefed the CM about increasing liquor sales in Andhra Pradesh’s border areas.

They attributed the surge to competitive pricing, availability of quality brands, and easy access—factors that have now reversed the earlier trend of consumers heading to neighbouring States for better options.

“The State has also made significant progress in eradicating illicitly distilled (ID) liquor. So far, 12 districts have been declared completely free of ID liquor, with 8 more to follow this month. The remaining 6 districts are expected to achieve ID liquor-free status by September,” said CM Naidu.