Number Of Bars To Be Reduced By 40 Percent In AP  

TADEPALLI: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy conducted a review meeting on the number of bars operating and liquor policy in the State on Tuesday.

In a key decision taken on Tuesday, the Government has decided to reduce the number of bars by 40 percent in the state. As per the Government's statement, it will reduce the existing 798 bars by 40 per cent, excluding star hotels.

The Chief Minister has also decided to reduce the number of government-run bars by 50%.

The authorities have already reduced the liquor stores by 20 per cent and will reduce further in a phase -wise manner.

The timings for supply of alcohol are also reduced where the timings are from morning 11:00 AM in the morning until 10 PM in the night.

The timings for bars in Star Hotels and bar and restaurants will be from 11:00 Am to 11:00 PM in the night.

The government is also mulling the thought of increasing the prices of liquor sold in bars.

Strict penal action will be taken against those who commit adulteration, smuggling of alcohol, and illegal manufacture of country-made liquor.

Penal action would include imposing of fine, which is three times the license fee and imprisonment of up to six months.

The CM said that the Government will also amend the liquor policy legislation in the upcoming Assembly sessions.