Govt liquor shops opened in East Godavari District

Kakinada: The government liquor shops were opened on Tuesday in East Godavari District. Two salesmen, one supervisor in rural outlets and three salesmen and one supervisor in urban outlets were appointed in each shop.

The officials said the shops will remain open between 11 am and 8 pm. Liquor should not be sold beyond 8 pm. The new liquor policy has all the potential of reducing the crimes, according to East Godavari Excise Collector G Lakshmisha.

He explained that the new policy imposed a ban on the belt shops and reduced retail outlets and thereby brought down the availability and accessibility of the alcohol. This, to some extent, would help keep the young generation away from alcohol.

There was also a proposal to establish the de-addiction centres to help those who were determined to give up the habit. He said the district has 540 liquor shops.

As per the new policy, the number of liquor shops would be reduced 20 per cent each year. In the first year, 108 liquor shops are phased out in the district.

At the end of five years, liquor would be available only in the bars and five-star hotels. There are just 50 bars and five-star in the district, said Arun Rao, Deputy Commissioner of Excise, Kakinada.

He said the Excise Collector is responsible for the selection of the premises for retail outlets, fixing the rent and appointment of staff, monitoring, regulation and phasing out of all retail outlets in the next five years. He said that the new policy has also brought in systematic change in the way the Prohibition and Excise Department functioned.

For the first time, Joint Collectors cum Additional District Magistrates are being designated as Ex officio Executive Director of Prohibition and Excise Department in the district. The departmental staff would assist him in the effective implementation of the new liquor policy.