Andhra Pradesh Begins Lottery for Liquor Licenses

The Andhra Pradesh government is set to allocate 3,396 liquor shops through a lottery system on October 14, following an overwhelming response of 89,882 applications, which generated nearly ₹1,798 crore in non-refundable fees. The highest number of applications came from the NTR district, with 5,825 submissions for 113 shops. The new liquor policy, aimed at transitioning from government-run shops to private dealers, will come into effect on October 16, 2024, introducing higher prices for certain liquor products and a new privilege fee. This policy marks a significant shift from the previous administration's approach to liquor sales, which were managed by the state. The excise department will ensure a smooth lottery process, with additional police deployed to maintain order. Concerns have been raised regarding low application numbers in certain districts, prompting scrutiny of the process to prevent syndicate formation.