The Andhra Pradesh cabinet which is scheduled to meet on September 18, is likely to take a decision on the new liquor policy in the state. The new liquor policy would come into force from October 1, according to the sources.
The cabinet sub-committee, which had studied the liquor policies of various states in the country had met Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at Velagapudi secretariat on Tuesday. Ministers, Kollu Ravindra, Nadendla Manohar, Satya Kumar Yadav, Kondapalli Srinivas met the chief minister and briefed him about the new liquor policy to be implemented in the state.
Speaking to media after the meeting with the chief minister, the ministers said that the previous YSR Congress government had brought J Brands liquor in the state. The government had promised total prohibition but had increased the prices of liquor. The government had supplied cheap liquor with higher prices, the ministers said.
Kollu Ravindra alleged that the previous government had stopped the entry for the global liquor brands in the state. They have promoted their own brands, the minister said. The money too went into the pockets of the ruling YSR Congress leaders, the Minister alleged.
The Minister also alleged that the previous YSR Congress government had brought an under qualified person on deputation to the state for the excise department and ruined the entire system. Only cheap brands were sold in the state at greater prices, he alleged.
The Minister further alleged that the previous government had borrowed on the future revenue of the excise department. The excise money was looted by the YSR Congress leaders for five years, he alleged. The new excise policy would bring quality liquor, globally-known brands at cheaper prices, the minister said.
