Excise revenue up 14.5% in Andhra Pradesh, says Minister Kollu Ravindra

Excise revenue up 14.5% in Andhra Pradesh, says Minister Kollu Ravindra. He attributes it to the new policy that is ensuring sale of quality liquor at affordable price.

The Andhra Pradesh government’s revenue from the sale of liquor increased 14.5% in the Financial Year 2024-25 (up to January), says Minister for Excise Kollu Ravindra.

Speaking to The Hindu at the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, Mr. Ravindra attributed it to introduction of the new Excise Policy.

During the corresponding period, the increase in revenue was up to 6.58% in Tamli Nadu, 3.82% in Karnataka, and 3.84% in Kerala. There was a decrease of 3.28% in Telangana’s Excise revenue on all heads such as VAT, licence fee, and Excise duty, he observed.

Mr. Ravindra said the department estimated a revenue of about ₹35,000 crore per annum from the sale of around three-crore cases of liquor, which was approximately 10% of the ₹3,22,359-crore State Budget presented in the ongoing session of the Legislative Assembly.

The State had earned ₹20,964 crore revenue between April and January in the Financial Year 2023-24 as against ₹23,988 crore during the corresponding period in 2024-25, he explined. He said quality liquor at affordable price helped in increasing the revenues.

Mr. Ravindra said the government focused on strengthening the Police Department and was committed to improving the deaddiction centres. “The 2% cess being collected on sale of liquor will be used to strengthen security and provide medical support,” he said, and added that the department was strictly prohibiting sale of adulterated and country-made liquor.