The Excise Department of Andhra Pradesh has announced that it is now accepting applications for liquor shop licenses. This opportunity is open to both individuals and private institutions, with a non-refundable application fee set at ₹2 lakh. Applicants can submit multiple applications during this period.
According to Mukesh Kumar Meena, Principal Secretary (Excise), the application window will remain open until October 9, with a lottery draw scheduled for October 12 to determine the selected applicants. The department is allowing submissions through both online and offline methods, although applications will not be accepted on public holidays, including October 6.
Once selected, applicants must pay the first installment of the Retail Excise Tax (RET), which functions as the annual license fee, within one working day following the lottery results and issuance of the provisional license. The new excise policy outlines RET rates in four categories — ₹50 lakh, ₹55 lakh, ₹65 lakh, and ₹85 lakh — based on the population density of the license-granting areas. Licensees may opt to pay the RET in six installments.
Commitment to Transparency
Meena emphasized the transparency of the lottery process, which will be conducted by District Collectors in the presence of applicants. “Under the directive of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, we are ensuring a transparent lottery process,” he stated, explaining that due to public skepticism surrounding online lotteries, the process will be carried out offline.
The system will assign an automatic number for each application, with corresponding receipts issued to applicants and retained by the Excise Department. During the lottery event, applicants’ names will be announced in the presence of District Collectors and then placed in a lottery box. A slip will be drawn from this box to determine the licensee for each shop.
Once the District Collector announces the winner’s name, the Excise Department will issue a provisional license. Additionally, the Collectors will draw two more names as backup selections. If the primary winner does not comply with the license acquisition requirements and pay the RET, the opportunity will pass to the second applicant; if they too fail to comply, the third applicant will be considered.
Published – October 03, 2024 05:40 am IST
