168 government-run liquor outlets to replace 216 private stores in VZM

Visakhapatnam: As part of the new liquor

policy

in the state, a total of 168 government-run

liquor shops

in Vizianagaram district will replace the 216 privately-owned shops.

Consequently, the number of liquor shops in the district will go down by around 20%.

Excise officials in the district have called for tenders with regard to outlets, transportation and furniture for the government-run liquor shops. The officials pointed out, on Friday, that the tender finalisation process has began.

A total of 312 tenders for outlets have been received, 33 tenders have been received for transportation of alcohol from depots to outlets and another 34 have been received for the provision of furniture in liquor stores.

At a meeting held at the collectorate on Friday, the collector M Hari Jawaharlal urged excise officials and others to implement the new liquor policy in a proper manner. The collector further said that the public must be made stakeholders to ensure that the policy gets properly implemented.

Jawaharlal further urged revenue officials, excise officials and representatives of various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to identify the illegal sale of arrack and its brewing points.