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The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet on Wednesday, August 6, approved the Bar Policy 2025-28 permitting liquor bars in the state to remain open from 10 am to 11 pm. The policy, based on the recommendations of the Cabinet sub committee, will come into force from August 31.
The new policy replaces the Bar Policy 2022-2025 introduced under YSRCP chief and former chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy’s rule. Speaking to the media, Andhra Information and Public Relations Minister Kolusu Parthasarthi said that the previous Bar Policy was based on an auction system and saw the issuance of licenses to 840 bars. The newly approved policy proposes a shift from the auction system to establish bars to a lottery-based allocation.
The lottery based allocation will be implemented only in areas where a minimum of four applications are received per establishment. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government has reserved 10% of bar licences for toddy tappers (kallu geetha workers) at 50% of the standard fee.
The Cabinet also approved a proposal allowing permit rooms to function, which were disbanded during the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP)government. Permit rooms are designated spaces in restaurants/hotels where alcohol can be legally served and consumed. “It was noticed that more than 2.07 lakh law and order cases were registered due to open consumption of liquor. To address the issue, the Cabinet decided to allow permit rooms of 1,000 square feet,” he said.
Between 2019 and 2024, the YSRCP government initially announced prohibition in phases and shut down 40% of bars in the state. However, despite the promise of prohibition, the former YSRCP government had announced that licences would be issued on a lottery basis, which received wide-spread criticism.