AP to set up retail liquor shop in all mandals

Andhra Pradesh Government today said it would set up a retail liquor shop in every mandal of the state to prevent flow of adulterated liquor and has already identified land for this purpose.
"In order to prevent illicit or adulterated liquor and overcharging of consumers, the government has decided to set up a liquor shop to be run by state government in every mandal (administrative unit)," an official release stated here today.
Land required for setting up shops in all mandals has been identified, it said.
The government would also allow hyper-markets and shopping malls with area of over 10,000 sqft to establish liquor shops.

The government will issue licenses to 4380 liquor retails shops in the state for the next two years, as per the new State Excise Policy, according to a Government Order (GO), and will have the right to operate over 10 per cent of the total outlets.
"The number of retail shops shall be 4380. Out of which not less than 10 per cent shall be government outlets. These will be located in such a way as to control MRP and possible violations by private licensees," the GO said.
It stated that the period of licence shall be two years from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2017.

There are over 600 mandals in the state.