Andhra Pradesh is set to go dry in phases as the newly elected Chief Minister YS jagan Mohan Reddy appears determined to implement prohibition, one of his major election promises. If implemented this will hit the state exchequer really hard. For 2019-20, the state had set a target of Rs 7,358 crore excise duty, which is levied on the sale of alcohol.
The revenue from excise duty was Rs 5,789 crore in the previous year. Currently, wine shops are running from 10 AM to 10 PM all over the state. Sales after 6 PM pick up a lot. But then, the State Government is considering to run wine shops only till 6 PM. The government will run the shops itself and not give to Private Persons to ensure that the enforcement happens. This is a daring decision as it will not go well with the drinking community and will also impact the state revenues.
YS jagan Mohan Reddy would be the second Telugu leader to promise prohibition after Telugu Desam Party (TDP) founder NT Rama Rao implemented total prohibition after taking oath as the Chief Minister in 1994. ntr's son-in-law Chandrababu who took over the reins of power after leading a revolt against him in 1995, lifted the prohibition later on the ground that it failed to achieve its objective.
The revenue from excise duty was Rs 5,789 crore in the previous year. Currently, wine shops are running from 10 AM to 10 PM all over the state. Sales after 6 PM pick up a lot. But then, the State Government is considering to run wine shops only till 6 PM. The government will run the shops itself and not give to Private Persons to ensure that the enforcement happens. This is a daring decision as it will not go well with the drinking community and will also impact the state revenues.
YS jagan Mohan Reddy would be the second Telugu leader to promise prohibition after Telugu Desam Party (TDP) founder NT Rama Rao implemented total prohibition after taking oath as the Chief Minister in 1994. ntr's son-in-law Chandrababu who took over the reins of power after leading a revolt against him in 1995, lifted the prohibition later on the ground that it failed to achieve its objective.
