The term of the liquor licenses in Andhra Pradesh is going to be extended by another three months.

AP government earlier indicated that it would take over the retail sale of liquor in the state. Actually this method is followed by Tamilnadu, the AP government decided to adopt the same policy into the state.

But the term of the liquor licenses is ending on June 30 and only after that date, the new process can be implemented. So with no choice left, the government had to extend the date to three months further.    

Internals are forcing Naidu to continue old process ?:

According to the sources, it was also heard that the reason behind this extension is because of the pressure from the TDP ministers and MLAs who actually want the existing system to be continued as only then, the benefits or instead the profits from liquor can be enjoyed by them.

Buzz behind this extension !

On the other side, the excise department is of the opinion that the extension of the date is because, the government is not sure of whether to take up the retailing of liquor or not and to make much more analysis on this, it might have taken this time. Meanwhile AP Wine Dealer's Association were in dilemma with this decision, and started thinking that it might take much more time for the government to take up the retailing. 

"The new policy should get published first, after which objections need to be invited," point ed out Rayala Subba Rao, president, AP Wine Dealers' Association.

Burden for government if implemented

Few of the excise officials opined that if the government decides to take up the retailing, it will be a big burden as it would have to find 4300 premises in all towns, municipalities and cities to set up the outlets because the existing outlets are actually owned by the private license holders and after the expiry of their license, they will have to vacate those places. Further it should employ 17000 employees to run those retail outlets which is a very big cost burden.

It might be a big question of how the government can tackle all these problems and lets see whether the government drops the decision of retailing or it still decides to move forward taking all the necessary measures.

by Phani