Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh Government is confining to implement prohibition of liquor in the state in a phased manner, said Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. Speaking to the media on Tuesday he said that the reopening of liquor is as per the guidelines of the Union Government after the 40 days lock down.

The Government is in strong determination to keep its promise on complete prohibition on liquor in the state in the phased manner, he said. The Government already implemented the first phase of prohibition of liquor in last year by reducing 20 % liquor shops in the state. The Government also cancelled the system of licensing to private persons or companies, because they operate the shops with the motto profits. If they think of profits they will indulge in malpractices in the business, they create belt shops also, he said.

That’s why the Government of AP is running the liquor shops in the possession of the Government and also reduced the consumption time from morning 10 am to evening 8 pm. The Government also hiked the prices of liquor because it is not the affordable rates to the poor and middle class family members to consume the liquor. The Government is thinking to gradually to decrease the shops in the state. The AP Government also decided to close 13% of more shops in the state, after reopening the shops of lock down, he added.

The Government also enhanced 75% of the price on liquor, to reduce the habit of consuming liquor in the poor and middle class family members, he added. He also directed the Collectors and SPs to monitor the illegal transit of the liquor and arrack. He also directed the police officer to assist the Excise officials in curbing the cases of illicit liquor.