Guntur: Notification for news bars issued

Guntur: The prohibition and excise department on Friday released notification over setting up of bars under the new excise policy from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021. As decided by the state government, the department reduced the number of bars by 40 per cent in the state part of the state government's declared objective of bringing total prohibition in a phased manner excise commissioner Vivek Yadav issued a notification to this effect.

According to the notification, highest number of 71 bars will come up under Vijayawada Municipal Corporation limits and 66 bars in Greater Visakha Municipal Corporation limits. Similarly, 49 bars will be allowed under Guntur Municipal Corporation limits.

The applications for bars should be submitted through online before 3 pm on December 6,2019. The same application should be submitted to the authorities concerned before 5 pm the same day. District collector will conduct draw at 2 pm on December 7 and allot the bars. Allotment process will be completed by 7 pm on the same day.

For areas up to 50,000 population, the government has fixed Rs 20 lakh non-refundable registration charge and Rs 5 lakh annual licence fee. For localities up to five lakh population, Rs 45 lakh non-refundable registration charge and Rs.5 lakh licence fee has been fixed. For above 5 lakh population, the winner has to pay Rs 70 lakh non-refundable registration charge and Rs 5 lakh licence fee.

The applicant should pay Rs 10 lakh non-refundable application fee to enrol online for participation in the selection process. Meanwhile, bar owners are protesting the abnormal hike in application fee. They are feeling that if the application fee is between Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh, more applicants will participate. Due to enormous hike in application fee, only a few will apply for bars.