Andhra Pradesh Wineries and Distilleries Association (APWDA) has urged the state government to take over the retail operations in the state from the new excise year beginning July 2012, as an effective remedy to eliminate the problems associated with the retail liquor trade, including violation of the maximum retail price (MRP) and the sale of non-duty paid liquor.
In a press release issued in connection with a representation made to the chief minister in this regard, Niranjan Agarwal, president of APWDA, said that the government would also gain on account of increased revenues if it operates retail outlets as has been done by the neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
In addition to the above measure, the new excise policy should also encourage the sale of economy liquor at a price point of Rs 40 to avoid the illicitly-distilled (ID) liquor among other issues, the association said.
A Cabinet subcommittee constituted by the state government is currently speaking to various stake holders on the frameworks for the new excise policy. The committee is expected to submit its report for the Cabinet’s consideration in the next couple of days.
Various political parties, including the opposition Telugu Desam Party, have also asked the government to take over the retail operations in the light of the ongoing Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) probe into the alleged cartelisation of retail traders.