YSRCP opposes auto-renewal of liquor shop licences in Andhra Pradesh

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The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) on Saturday opposed the proposed auto-renewal of liquor shop licences in Andhra Pradesh as it would “deprive the State exchequer of nearly ₹3,000 crore and benefit liquor syndicates.”

Addressing a press conference at the YSRCP central office, party spokesperson Putta Siva Shankar demanded that the government scrap the proposal and allot licences afresh through lottery.

Mr. Siva Shankar alleged that liquor trade had been taken over by syndicates, with belt shops and permit rooms operating without adequate checks. He also alleged that liquor was being sold above the maximum retail price (MRP) at several places, while enforcement agencies failed to act effectively.

He said that licences for 3,740 liquor shops were allotted through lottery in 2024, for which 89,582 applications had been received. The government earned about ₹1,800 crore from the non-refundable application fee alone, he said.

With the two-year licence period nearing its end, a fresh lottery could once again generate substantial revenue for the government, he said.

Mr. Siva Shankar further demanded that the government give details of the number of cases registered for MRP violations, the penalties collected and the licences cancelled for such violations. He also asked the government to disclose the action taken against illegal liquor sales and the rewards paid to informants.

He claimed that the YSRCP government had brought liquor outlets under direct government control, ensuring that the revenue accrued to the State exchequer.

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