Andhra Pradesh announces Consumer Shops Policy 2026-2027, retains 3,736 liquor shops

The government has allowed the renewal of existing licenses for retail liquor stores for one year. | Photo credit: Representative photo

The Government of Andhra Pradesh has announced the Excise Shops Policy for 2026-27, which retains 3,736 liquor retail outlets across the state for another year from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027.

Of the total stores, 3,396 will remain in the open category and 340 will be reserved for Geetha Kulala, the toddy-tapping community.

Principal Secretary Excise, Mines and Geology Mukesh Kumar Meena issued the order after reviewing the excise policies applicable from 2019 to 2024, recommendations of the Group of Ministers and experience with the policy for 2024-2026, which expires on September 30.

Under the new policy, the government has allowed renewal of existing licenses for retail liquor outlets for one year. Licensees who choose to renew will have to pay Renewal Retail Excise Tax (RET) at 38% of the annual RET, in addition to the annual RET and the applicable RET RET. Annual RET rates for 2026-27 will remain unchanged from 2025-26.

The RET renewal for open category shops will be ₹ 23 lakh in areas with a population of up to 50,000, ₹ 27.2 lakh in areas with a population between 50,000 and 5 lakh and ₹ 35.5 lakh where the population exceeds 5 lakh. For the stores reserved for Geetha Kulala, the corresponding amounts are ₹ 11.5 lakh, ₹ 13.6 lakh and ₹ 17.8 lakh.

The renewal of the RET will be paid in one lump sum together with the first annual installment of the RET. A clearance room will be mandatory whenever possible. Licensees paying the annual RET in installments must provide a bank guarantee corresponding to one three-month installment.

Existing license holders wishing to renew must pay a processing fee of ₹35,000. Non-renewed trades will be allotted through a lottery for which applicants have to pay a non-refundable application fee of ₹1,000. At least four applications will be required. Newly allocated stores will not attract RET renewal.

The policy introduces stronger digital monitoring, including a comprehensive tracking and tracing system from production to retail, digital stock and sales records, and electronic inventory monitoring.

CCTV surveillance

Each store must install four CCTV cameras covering the sales counter, stock areas, consumer areas and clearance areas wherever possible. The system will be linked to a command and control center with artificial intelligence. Willful tampering or tampering will result in penalties, and repeated violations may result in license revocation.

Penalty for illegal sale

Licensees must strictly adhere to the MRP and refrain from unauthorized sale, spurious alcohol, brand mixing and dilution. Unauthorized sales will attract a fine of ₹25,000 for the first offence, while a second offense can lead to license cancellation.

Published – 11 Sep 2026 23:48 IST