After hiking liquor prices by 75%, the Andhra Pradesh government has now revised the alcohol prices and reduced the low-cost liquor prices due to a major increase in liquor smuggling into the state from neighbouring states like Karnataka and Telangana.
Jagan’s government on Friday has reduced the rates by Rs 10 to Rs 280 in two categories apart from beer, to bring parity in rates with states like Telangana and Karnataka to check the smuggling.
The rate reduction is aimed at preventing habitual tipplers from consuming hand sanitizers that have caused many deaths in the Prakasam District of Andhra in recent days.
As per government officials, the price of cheap liquor (with less than Rs 150 MRP) has been reduced. The price of beer and ready to drink has been reduced by Rs 30.
The government has, however, increased the price of premium liquor (50/60/90 ml) by Rs 40-140 in Andhra Pradesh.
YSR spokesman Dr. Kammela Sridhar told The Daily Guardian, “ Our government’s aim is a complete prohibition in a phased manner. It’s one of our Navaratnalu (nine promises) to the people. We have increased 75% of prices on liquor after the reopening of shops during Covid-19 with an aim to reduce the consumption. But liquor smuggling has increased from other states to Andhra. So, we have made some changes in the policy.”
“After Coming to power, Jagan’s government has closed 46,000 belt shops in the state. 23,000 wine shops were reduced to 15,000 and deaddiction centers were set up at every district headquarters”, said Sridhar.
While the opposition TDP and BJP criticized the government for its policy. They said that Jagan’s government wanted to run the government on excise income.
BJP leader Lanka Dinakar told The Daily Guardian, “Jagan Mohan Reddy led YSRCP had promised for the prohibition of Liquor. Ironically, the first budget of his government showed excise income raising more than prior to their government in the administration though the number of Liquor shops drastically reduced and we raised questions about the true intentions of the Jagan led YSRCP government.”