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In Andhra Pradesh, the government’s reduction in liquor prices from ₹ 10 to ₹ 100 per bottle is having a tremendous impact. After the reduction in rates, drinkers (consumers) are now saving a huge amount of about ₹ 116 crores every month. According to PTI news, this is the first time such a big reduction in liquor prices in the state. Let us tell you, during a review meeting with officials on Monday, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu gave instructions to maintain transparency in the liquor policy, keep the prices affordable for the common man and ensure the safety of public health.
Orders to sell only quality liquor brands
According to the news, the Chief Minister told the officials that only quality liquor brands of national and international level should be sold in the state. Also, there should be a strict ban on the sale of illegal or harmful liquor without paying duty. Officials informed that the new liquor policy has increased the state’s revenue, brought back the business lost during the previous government (YSRCP rule), eliminated fake brands and helped curb addiction among the poor sections.
Earlier unbranded liquor had 68% market share
According to government data, now the prices of 30 brands of liquor in Andhra Pradesh are lower than the neighbouring states of Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Earlier unbranded liquor had 68% market share in the state, but now it has been replaced by Indian and international brands. By doing this, the sale of low quality liquor has come down and the safety of consumers has improved significantly. The instructions to the officials have also been said to close the belt shops (illicit liquor shops) present in the state, make digital payment mandatory and implement AI based tracking and GPS monitoring.
However, in March this year, the state government had claimed that the difference in liquor revenue between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana had increased from Rs 4,186.70 crore to Rs 42,762.15 crore in the last five years due to policy failure of the previous YSRCP government.
