Liquor Traders Are In A Last Minute Rush To Find A Suitable Place To Sell Liquor To Obtain A Regular License

vijayawada: As the October 31 deadline for obtaining regular licenses for liquor sales approaches, some liquor traders in Andhra Pradesh are rushing to find suitable facilities complying with regulatory norms for retail outlets. The new consumption tax policy, which starts on October 16 and will be valid for two years, allows traders selected by lottery to be held on October 14 to set up retail outlets under temporary licenses.

While some traders have set up new premises for liquor stores, others continue to operate in former government retail outlets. But to qualify for a regular license, merchants must comply with location requirements that stipulate a distance of at least 100 meters from educational and religious institutions and state or national highways. This horizontal plane measurement has made it difficult to determine compatible locations, especially in urban areas.

Currently, traders with temporary licenses can sell liquor, but they must offer a compliant location by October 31 to receive a regular licence. Many traders are hesitant to invest in higher rents due to limited profit margins resulting from multiple government-imposed taxes. Rents of compliant retail spaces in cities like Vijayawada average 1.5 lakh rupees per month, rising further in prime areas.

Under the new excise policy, the Andhra Pradesh government has approved 3,396 private sector retail liquor outlets. While many merchants have opened stores, some continue to seek compliant locations to avoid future regulatory issues.

Additionally, traders have expressed concern over the newly introduced 180 ml bottle being sold at a price of Rs 99; This makes it difficult for customers to refund a single rupee for 100 rupees. But digital payments help overcome this problem.

A senior excise official said: “It is true that traders without proper accommodation are actively looking for suitable venues to obtain regular licenses in various parts of AP by October 31.”