The Andhra Pradesh Government, on the 3rd of May, allowed the sale of liquor with an increased price of 25 % in the Green Zones of the State.
Welcoming the guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA,) the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) announced a new set of guidelines for the Green Zones in A.P.
In one such decision, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, announced an increase in the price of alcohol to discourage drinking in the State. The State Government also decided to reduce the shops selling liquor with an agenda of making the State alcohol free State.
Below is the increased price of alcohol according to its quantity:
- Per quarter whiskey cost to be increased by Rs. 20
- Half bottle whiskey price increases by Rs. 40
- Full bottle whiskey price increases by Rs. 80
- Alcohol like Vodka, Rum, Wine to be increased by Rs. 60 for quarter, Rs. 120 for half bottle and Rs. 240 for full bottle.
- Mini beer price increased to Rs. 30 from Rs. 20
Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said, “We have taken this step as women were facing a lot of problems due to liquor. Government will give alternate employment to those who are dependent on liquor shops.” He further added, “The State Government is taking effective measures towards the prohibition of liquor across the State and thus increased the price by 25 per cent. In the coming days, the number of shops will be further reduced. Following the guidelines by the Centre, physical distance should be maintained at liquor outlets.”
All the registered alcohol shops in the State could open in Green Zones from the 4th of May, following the social distancing guidelines and increased prices.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh reported a total of 1,583 cases of the Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19 with 33 fatalities and 488 recoveries till date.