AP Liquor Policy Notice Opens Today: How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process

In a significant move, the Andhra Pradesh government has introduced a new liquor policy, with the Excise Department announcing the opening of applications for new liquor shops. This initiative, which aims to regulate the retail liquor trade across the state, comes with a two-year time limit. Interested parties can submit their applications from today until October 9 for a chance to obtain a license for one of the 3,396 planned liquor shops. The lottery to allocate these licenses is set for October 11.

Applicants are required to pay a non-refundable application fee of Rs. 2 lakhs, and they are permitted to apply for multiple shop licenses. In addition to the application fee, a fixed license fee ranging between Rs. 50 lakhs and Rs. 85 lakhs will also be mandated.

The government's decision to allocate 10 percent of liquor shops to the Gowda community has been met with enthusiasm. Under the new excise policy, the Gowda community will own 20 out of the 200 existing liquor outlets in the SPSR Nellore district.

Eligibility Criteria

• An applicant must be at least 21 years old and either a citizen of India or a Person of Indian Origin.

• Any partnership firm must have partners who are citizens of India, and no changes to the partnership will be allowed after the shop or group of shops has been settled unless a legal permit is obtained from the Excise Commissioner.

• Additionally, the individual must not be a defaulter, blacklisted, or debarred from holding an excise license under Rule 13 of these regulations or any other law enacted under the Act.

Documents Required

- A copy of the certificate demonstrating the applicant’s title, rights, and interest in the proposed property or land.

- Four copies of the building plan that the applicant intends to use or construct, including a layout plan showing the positioning of vats, stills, and other permanent equipment, along with a list of connected warehouses and storerooms. This plan must be prepared by a technically competent person, at least of the rank of PWD and SEO department.

- A project report, including a cost-benefit analysis, estimated production, and market feasibility study.

- A copy of the fire license or a no-objection certificate from the relevant authority.

- A copy of clearance from the appropriate authority regarding environmental pollution, if applicable.

- A no-objection certificate (NOC) from the relevant municipal corporation, municipality, town committee, or gaon panchayat.

- Information on whether the applicant has ever been convicted of a non-bailable offence by a criminal court. If so, provide full details; if not, include an affidavit to that effect.

For Partnership Firms

- Registration certificate

- Partnership deed

- List of beneficial owners holding more than 15 percent of the firm

- ID proof and address proof

- Power of Attorney (POA)

- Declaration from the firm's partner regarding who will represent the firm in the Excise Department

- Affidavit confirming no dues to the Excise or any other concerned department

- Affidavit stating that the applicant, partnership firm, or applicant has not been punished under the N.D.P.S., Molasses Act, Excise Act, or I.P.C. Also, an affidavit confirming that the firm is not blacklisted in any state

- Sale Tax Clearance Certificate and Sales Tax Registration from the relevant Sales Tax Authority where the firm is currently operating

- Three copies of blueprints of the labelled map of the proposed site, its premises, and interior spaces. The plan must be certified by the applicant, District Excise Officer, Enquiry Officer, and Deputy Commissioner of the district

- Enquiry report from the Excise Officer

- No Objection Certificate (NOC) regarding law and order from the S.D.O. of the proposed area

- Certificate from the concerned officer confirming that the proposed site complies with tourism regulations

- Any other certificates required by the licensing/sanctioning authority.

Documents to be Submitted for 2B Bars

- Trade license issued by the relevant local authority to serve food

- Two years' Income Tax or VAT returns

- Copy of the plan for the proposed premises and a consent letter from the owner if the premises are rented

- Payment of ₹3 lakhs as Earnest Money Deposit (EMD)

- Payment of ₹2 lakhs as a non-refundable application fee

Documents to be Submitted for the Grant of License for Microbrewery

- Drawings and descriptions for the construction of the proposed microbrewery

- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Board and the local competent authority

- Counterpart Agreement

Step-by-Step Procedure for Application Process

To obtain a liquor license, applicants must follow the steps outlined below by submitting the application form online:

Step 1: Visit the Andhra Pradesh Prohibition and Excise Department

Begin by visiting the Andhra Pradesh Prohibition and Excise Department site to initiate the process of obtaining your excise license online- www.cpe.ap.gov.in

New User Registration

Step 2: Click on the “Sign Up” button located on the homepage.

Step 3: Fill in all the required information in the registration form.

Step 4: Enter the unit address for which you are applying for the license. Once you have filled in all the required information, click the “Submit” button.

Login to Portal

Step 5: Log in to the portal using your user ID and password.

Step 6: Log in to the Excise Department Portal by entering your username and password in the application.

Application for New Liquor License

Step 6: Click on the “New Liquor License” tab and select the Gazette number of the shop.

Step 7: Choose the type of license you wish to apply for. Once selected, the specific liquor license application page will be displayed.

Fill in the Required Information

Step 8: Complete all mandatory fields in the license application form.

Upload Documents

Step 9: After filling out the application form, upload all requested documents and click the Submit button.

Make Payment

Step 10: Select the “E-payment” option on the homepage of the portal.

Step 11: Click on the Make Payment button to be redirected to the E-challan page.

Step 12: Choose the Bank Name for your online payment, and then click the “Submit” button.

Step 13: Enter the specific details of your license type, select the challan number, and click the “Save and Proceed” button to submit your permit request.

Submit the Application Form

Step 14: Your application will undergo verification and issuance by the Excise Superintendent. You can view, print, and download your hall ticket for the lottery process.

Print Acknowledgment Receipt

Step 15: You will receive a message confirming that “Your application has been registered successfully.” You can save the receipt and print it by clicking the ‘Print’ button.

Step 16: The selected applicant will receive a license in Form A-4 after completing the necessary formalities and adhering to the regulations regarding the shop's location.