AP Liquor Price Hike: Government Counters YCP Claims

The Andhra Pradesh excise department recently issued a new order, marginally increasing the prices of certain liquor products. This order is now in effect, with specific adjustments made to the existing pricing model.

Immediately after the order was released, YSR Congress leaders claimed that the AP government had committed a cardinal sin by raising liquor prices.

However, this claim was quickly debunked by Excise Minister Kollu Ravindra, who countered the YCP narrative with clarity. He pointed out that the prices of ₹99 liquor, which caters to economically weaker sections, and beer have not been increased by even a single rupee. These prices will remain unchanged.

The price hike applies only to hard liquor, and even then, only by ₹10. “We have increased the price by just ₹10. This will help the government generate an additional ₹100-150 crore in revenue. YCP must stop spreading a fabricated narrative solely to tarnish the government’s image. We have eradicated the syndicate brands introduced by YCP and are investigating the matter,” he stated.

The key takeaway is that the AP government has only slightly increased liquor prices, and not on products primarily consumed by the masses and economically weaker sections. Such adjustments are a standard practice for any government.