With Andhra Pradesh’s new excise policy set to be implemented from July 1st, Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu directed excise and prohibition department officials to hold a public debate on the policy.
“You can seek views from people. Understand their concerns. And, based on the public debates, we can finalize the best practices,” the Chief Minister added.
To keep an eye on the inventory and prevent mixing of liquor and discrepancies, the Chief Minister suggested officials to adopt the “hologram” or Bar Coding system. “This will enable us to track the stocks. From manufacturing facility to retail shops and consumers, we can track the location of a liquor bottle,” he added.
He also sought real-time recording of data through scanners. “Once certain stock is sold for the day, the shopkeeper has to scan the remaining stock and update it online, he said, adding that this would enable us in improving the supply-chain management.
In order to monitor spurious liquor sale, illicit liquor and mixing of liquor brands by retailers, the Chief Minister suggested setting up cameras in retail stores. The CM was informed that East Godavari, Krishna, Chittoor and Ananthapur districts have high sale of illicit liquor.
Stating that the government aims to bring down the consumption of liquor in the state, the Chief Minister asked officials to educate people, create awareness about the ill-effects of consumption of illicit liquor.
To stop people from making illicit liquor, the Chief Minister asked the department officials to come up with ways to provide them alternative employment. “A better Rescue and Rehabilitation package for those involved in this business will better their lives,” officials said.
He asked officials to also explore alternative to extracting Neera (palm nectar – extraction done before sunrise) and engage them in selling it. “This could bring down the reliance on toddy and keep people healthy,” the Chief Minister said.
According to Enforcement officials, Cannabis supply too is high from East Godavari to Vizianaganaram. “There are gangs that have specially designed vehicles to transport 400-500 kg of Cannabis consignment,” the Chief Minister was informed.
During the meeting, officials informed the Chief Minister that Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka have better excise policies. “Karnataka has the best policy that covers manufacturing to end-user management,” officials told the Chief Minister.
The revenue from liquor in the state for FY2014-15 was Rs11,488 crore and the projected revenue for FY15-16 is Rs12,258 crore.
The Chief Minister asked officials to work out ways to increase revenue from this sector. “Study the per capital consumption of liquor and beer in order to plug leakages and streamline supply and sale,” he added. (INN)