Andhra Government Begins To Take Control Of Liquor Retail Business; Opens Up 470 State-Owned Shops

The Andhra Pradesh government under Chief Minister Jaganmohan Reddy has begun to take control of the state’s retail liquor business by opening 470 of its own shops selling alcohol, reports IANS.

34 more such shops will be opened in the coming days. As per officials, the state government will try to take control of all private liquor outlets in the state by the end of this month through its Andhra Pradesh State Beverages Corporation Ltd.

The government-run liquor outlets will have prices listed at MRP and also have signs telling consumers that liquor is injurious to health. These shops will also not allow any customer to purchase more than three bottles at one go.

Making retail outlets publicly-owned and run is part of the YSR Congress party’s poll promise to implement prohibition in the state in a phased manner.

The government is also planning to spend Rs 500 crore to set up alcohol de-addiction centres across the state as part of its crackdown on liquor consumption.