AP excise reforms yield major gains in two years, says Minister Ravindra

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh Excise Minister Kollu Ravindra on Monday said the NDA government has brought about historic changes in the state’s excise sector over the past two years, restoring transparency, improving quality standards, and boosting government revenues after what he described as years of policy failures under the previous administration.

Addressing the media at the State Secretariat, the minister alleged that the excise system had suffered from corruption, lack of transparency, and administrative irregularities during the previous government’s tenure. He claimed that the liquor policy implemented between 2019 and 2024 restricted consumer choice, encouraged the sale of select brands, and led to the proliferation of illicit liquor networks. According to the minister, the current government has introduced a comprehensive excise policy based on transparency, technology, consumer freedom, quality control, and revenue growth.

Ravindra said the new policy has generated strong public and business confidence, reflected in the record 89,000 applications received for liquor shop allotments, which yielded nearly Rs 2,000 crore in government revenue. He noted that the government has restored the availability of several national and international liquor brands while ensuring rigorous quality checks through excise laboratories established in Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Guntur, and Kurnool.

The minister also highlighted the government’s crackdown on illicit liquor, ganja cultivation, counterfeit products, and liquor smuggling. He stated that digital payment systems, which accounted for less than one percent of transactions during the previous regime, now exceed 60 percent of total payments, significantly enhancing transparency and reducing revenue leakages.

Emphasizing that public health remains a top priority, Ravindra said every liquor product sold in the state undergoes multiple quality tests before reaching consumers. He added that advanced monitoring systems, including digital tracking and real-time surveillance, have helped curb illegal activities and strengthen regulatory enforcement.

The minister expressed confidence that the excise reforms would continue to support economic growth, tourism development, and better governance while ensuring consumer safety and accountability across the sector.