After his 3-capitals controversy was embroiled in litigation, the Andhra Pradesh High Court has declared that carrying three bottles of liquor into AP from other states is not a violation within the rules of GO No. 411. The High Court’s direction to the Government to implement the GO No.411 in total has come following a writ petition filed before it against police and excise authorities who are harassing people.
According to the said Government Order, tipplers can carry three bottles of liquor into AP from any state for personal consumption. However, the excise and police officials have been not only confiscating the liquor bottles, but also arresting them on the charges of illegal transportation of liquor into the State.
The State Government had earlier increased the prices of various brands of liquor as part of its new liquor policy. People from the State have started bringing different brands of liquor of their choice from other states, particularly from Telangana, as the liquor prices in AP have sky-rocketed. Further, tipplers alleged that the newly introduced liquor brands in the State ‘tastes like cheap liquor.’
The High Court’s new directive might now make people from AP to take a joy ride to neighbouring Telangana towns and villages to fetch their chosen brands of three bottles. The rampant growth of illegal liquor smuggling is already making a dent in the excise revenues of the State. The latest direction allowing three bottles of liquor into the State comes as a double whammy for the Government.
