AP govt to revamp Bar Policy; new guidelines effective from Sept 1

Time of India

6 days ago

Vijayawada: The state government is seriously contemplating a complete revamp of the existing bar policy. The new policy will come into force from Sept 1. The government has initiated negotiations with stakeholders and departments to fine-tune the revised policy.
Sources indicated that the government is considering further relaxation of existing rules to facilitate the establishment of more bars across the state. The policy is also expected to promote the setting up of bars in tourism areas under liberalised conditions. Additionally, the feasibility of allowing relocation of existing bars from one area to another is being studied.
With the current Bar Policy set to expire on Aug 31, the group of ministers (GoM) on excise policy convened a crucial meeting to deliberate on the framework of the upcoming Bar Policy.
The meeting was conducted in hybrid mode. While excise minister Kollu Ravindra and energy minister Gottipati Ravikumar attended the meeting at the secretariat, civil supplies minister Nadendla Manohar, MSME minister Kondapalli Srinivas, and health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav participated virtually.
Principal secretary (excise) Mukesh Kumar Meena briefed the GoM on representations received from key associations, including the AP State Wine Dealers Association, AP Star Hotels Association, and the AP Hotels Association.
He outlined historical sales trends, previous bar disposal methods, and the financial implications of various proposed policy models, focusing on revenue impact and operational feasibility.
Director of Prohibition and Excise Nishant Kumar delivered a detailed presentation on the current Bar Policy (2022–25). He discussed the license disposal system, annual license fees, and bar-to-population ratios. Currently, about 840 standalone bars and 50 establishments in star hotels and microbreweries are operating under the policy.
It was noted that 44 bar licenses were not renewed during the current policy period.
He also presented a comparative analysis of bar policies in Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Kerala.
Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar sought updates on the implementation of the current shop policy and its possible implications for bar operations. Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav recommended that the tourism department be consulted to strengthen tourism linkages in the new policy.
MSME Minister Kondapalli Srinivas emphasized the need to encourage new entrepreneurs to enter the food and beverages sector.
Energy minister Gottipati Ravikumar highlighted the growing need to consider bar relocations in light of expanding industrial corridors across the state. "The excise department will incorporate suggestions from the ministers to further refine the draft policy. A revised proposal will be prepared before the final Bar Policy is approved and notified," said a senior official. The meeting was also attended by Enforcement director Rahul Dev Sharma, additional commissioner M Deva Kumar, joint commissioners and other senior officials from the excise department.
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