Liquor policy should not confine to mere revenue earning :CM
Officials asked to act tough on belt shops
Amaravati: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said that liquor policy should not confine to mere revenue earning and there should be healthy growth. He stressed the need for some more exercise in existing system of allotment of liquor shops through lottery system, application fee, liquor identification number and in hike in retailer margin.
Addressing a review meeting on excise policy at secretariat today, the Chief Minister directed the officials to consider on exemption of Bar Additional retail excise tax. Priority should be given to curb illicit liquor and belt shops, digitalization and environment protection in liquor policy.
The officials informed the Chief Minister that the excise department netted a revenue of Rs 7,041 cr against the target of Rs 8000 cr from October 2024 to 2025. They said that there was 4.2 per cent increase in liquor sales from April 1 to December 17. Theys said that digital payments increased by 34.9 per cent to 47 per cent in some districts. Separate liquor identification number was allotted to each liquor bottle to prevent spurious liquor. In addition geo tagging and tracking will help to maintain transparency in liquor trade.
The Chief Minister directed the officials to act tough on belt shops and the Haryana system should be studied to curb the belt shops menace. The officials said that Deposit Return Scheme is under consideration if the liquor bottle was returned by consumers.
