Andhra Allows 24 Liquor Firms To Start Production

The Andhra Pradesh Government yesterday issued licenses to 24 distilleries and three breweries to resume production of Indian made liquor and beer. The licenses were canceled two years ago because of total prohibition in the State.

The case of eight other distilleries and three breweries for fresh license is under consideration.

All the distilleries will now be required to manufacture only the ENA (extra neutral alcohol) grade alcohol which alone is allowed for sale and consumption in the State. Arrack and cheaper IMF remain on the banned list.

Since the State revoked the ban on liquor on May 6 following the High Courts verdict upholding the constitutional validity of the law to water down prohibition, the distilleries and brewaries have been seeking fresh license to re-open their factories. The continued closure of the distilleries and breweries led to near stampade at retail outlets for IML.

 

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh Beverages Corporation continues to depend upon distilleries and brewaries outside the state for supplies of IML and beer. The Corporation, which enjoys monopoly over wholesale distribution in the state has so far placed orders for 15 lakh cases (each case of one dozen bottles) of beer and eight lakh cases of IML.

For the first time after the lifting of prohibition, beer made an appearance in the retail outlets this morning.

So far, beer was available only in star hotels, the charges for which were anything between Rs 110 and Rs 145.

The first consignment of 46 trucks loaded with beer moved into the City on Monday night, but since Tuesday was a dry day there was no sale. 18 cms

Andhra issues licenses to 24 liquor firms

R Srinivasan HYDERABAD

The Andhra Pradesh Government yesterday issued licenses to 24 distilleries and three breweries to resume production of Indian made liquor and beer. The licenses were canceled two years ago because of total prohibition in the State. The case of eight other distilleries and three breweries for fresh license is under consideration.

All the distilleries will now be required to manufacture only the ENA (extra neutral alcohol) grade alcohol which alone is allowed for sale and consumption in the State. Arrack and cheaper IMF remain on the banned list.

Since the State revoked the ban on liquor on May 6 following the High Courts verdict upholding the constitutional validity of the law to water down prohibition, the distilleries and brewaries have been seeking fresh license to re-open their factories. The continued closure of the distilleries and breweries led to near stampade at retail outlets for IML.

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh Beverages Corporation continues to depend upon distilleries and brewaries outside the State for supplies of IML and beer. The Corporation, which enjoys monopoly over wholesale distribution in the State has so far placed orders for 15 lakh cases (each case of one dozen bottles) of beer and eight lakh cases of IML.

For the first time after the lifting of prohibition, beer made an appearance in the retail outlets this morning. So far, beer was available only in star hotels, the charges for which were anything between Rs 110 and Rs 145. The first consignment of 46 trucks loaded with beer moved into the City on Monday night, but since Tuesday was a dry day there was no sale.