Andhra to slap Rs 5 lakh fine on vends selling liquor above MRP
Repeated violations could result in the cancellation of their licenses
By Sri Lakshmi Muttevi Published on 3 Dec 2024 2:32 AM GMT
Representational Image.
Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh government has decided to slap Rs five lakh fine on the liquor vends found involved in overcharging.
As per the GO, ā¹5 lakh fine will be levied on liquor shops that sell alcohol at prices exceeding the MRP. Repeated violations could result in the cancellation of their licenses.
Selling liquor at a place (Belt Shops) other than the licensed premises committed by the licensee for the first time may invite ā¹5 lakh fine. For the second time, the shop license may be canceled.
To enforce these measures, inspection teams will intensify monitoring across the state, ensuring compliance and protecting consumers from exploitation.
This is one of the poll promises made by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. The new excise policy came into effect on October 1.
Naidu scrapped the old excise policy involving government-owned retail outlets and introduced a new policy wherein private outlets will be allowed to sell booze, apart from bars. All modes of payment such as cash, UPI, and others will be allowed at the liquor shops by consumers, unlike cash-only mode during the YSRCP regime.
The state has also introduced a premium retail category. Twelve premium stores are likely to open in major cities including Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Rajamahendravaram. These stores, covering a minimum area of 4,000 square feet, will offer a high-end retail experience, stocking premium brands.
In October, the state netted Rs 1,800 crore towards non-refundable application fees for 3,396 outlets. The cash-strapped Andhra Pradesh government expects about Rs 20,000 crores through the sale of licensing fees and liquor during the remaining financial year. The government has received nearly 90,000 applications for 3,396 private liquor outlets with Rs 2 lakh as non-refundable application fees contributing to about Rs 1,800 crores to the exchequer.
Once the outlet was allotted on a lottery basis, the winner will have to pay licensing fees ranging from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 85 lakh in six installments. Last year, the government got Rs 30,000 crores through liquor sales. This year for the remaining six months, the government is expecting over Rs 17,000 crore.
