Applications for licenses of liquor shops in the state have flooded. It is estimated that around 90,000 applications were received and the government’s revenue will be up to Rs.1800 crores. Vatsavai shop received the highest number of 132 applications.
The deadline for submission of applications for licenses of liquor shops in the state has expired on Friday. In March 2017, the last notification regarding the private liquor policy was released in the state. At that time, 4,380 liquor shops were notified and 76,000 applications were received. That means on an average 17 to 18 applications were filed per shop.
In the form of applications and registration fees, the Excise Department earned an income of 474 crores at that time. This time the government has notified only 3,396 shops. This means that even though fewer shops were notified than in 2017, more applications were received. On the last day itself over 25,000 applications were received by the government.
On an average, 26 applications were received per shop in the state. On an average, 51 applications were received per shop in NTR district. There is more competition for liquor shops in NTR, Eluru, Guntur, East Godavari and Vizianagaram districts. 113 shops have been notified in NTR district and the highest number of 5,787 applications have been received in the state.
132 applications were received for shop number 96 in Vatsavai mandal, 120 for shop number 97 and 110 for shop number 81 in Penuganchiprolu. All these three shops are located on the AP-Telangana border.
On an average, 37 applications were received per shop in Eluru district, 34 in Guntur, East Godavari and Vizianagaram districts, 30 in Kurnool, Konaseema, West Godavari and Alluri Sitaramaraju districts.
However, Sri Sathyasai, Tirupati, Bapatla and Annamaiya districts have received less number of applications. This situation has arisen due to the fact that the main leaders have prevented many from applying, and in some places the traders have formed a syndicate.
Applications will be drawn by lottery on October 14 in the presence of District Collectors and Excise Department officials. Shops will be allotted to lottery winners on October 15. AP’s new liquor policy will come into effect from October 16.