The Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP,) on the 22nd of August, announced its liquor policy for the retail liquor shops in Andhra Pradesh (AP.)
To achieve an alcohol free state, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, the Chief Minister of AP, implemented the Prohibition and Excise Policy 2019-2020 to educate people about “responsible drinking” and the “evil effects of irresponsible drinking.”
According to the YSRCP Government, prohibiting the sale of alcohol in retail shops will help the State Government curb the supply of alcohol in belt shops in the State.
The YSRCP officials said after observing the scenario in the State, the Government decided there will be 3,500 shops during 2019-20 and the licence of the shops will be valid from the 1st of October 2019 to 30th of September 2020.
On the other hand. the AP State Beverages Corporation Limited (APSBCL) will be responsible for the supply of liquor to all the 3,500 retail shops in the State from the 1st of October.
The Prohibition & Excise Commissioner will decide the number of shops, which will be established in villages, Nagar Panchayats and Municipal Corporations. The major criteria which will be considered while setting up the shops would be population, requirement, public order, health and safety.
The Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy led YSRCP also directed the concerned Commissioner to follow the guidelines provided by the Supreme Court regarding the sale of liquors on highways.
In addition, the State Government asked all the shops to be equipped with the required machinery for the implementation of Hedonic Path Finder System (HPFS) and CC cameras.
It also prohibited liquor shops on the road from Tirupati Railway Station to Alipiri via the Road Transport Corporation (RTC) bus stand, Leelamahal Circle, Nandi Circle, Vishnu Nivasam and Srinivasam.
Apart from prohibiting alcohol in various areas, the YSRCP Government also plans to provide the required medical facilities and rehabilitation centres. The YSRCP Government directed the Health, Medical and Family Welfare Department to establish one deaddiction centre in every district in the State.
The measures are a step towards the goal of AP Government to make the State alcohol free during the tenure of the YSRCP Government.
Stay tuned for further updates.
