A.P. Excise Department announces re-notification of 301 bar licences

The Andhra Pradesh Prohibition and Excise Department has announced the re-notification of 301 open-category bar licences under the State’s 2025–28 bar policy, with a detailed schedule released for a fresh draw of lots.

Director of Prohibition and Excise, Sridhar Chamakuri, on Thursday, said the decision follows the non-disposal of licences in the earlier round.

He explained that while 541 open-category bars and 84 reserved-category bars have already been allotted through the draw of lots system, 299 licences remained undisposed.

In addition, the government has approved the re-notification of two more bars—one each in Guntur and NTR districts—taking the total number of licences for re-notification to 301.

District-wise, NTR district tops the list with 55 bars, followed by Visakhapatnam (52), Guntur (42), SPS Nellore (27) and Palnadu (22). Smaller numbers are spread across other districts, while no re-notification has been proposed in ASR and West Godavari districts at this stage.

Mr. Chamakuri said the list of bars has been published in the respective District Gazettes and the application process has already commenced.

Applications will be accepted in online, hybrid or offline modes until 6 pm on February 4, 2026. The draw of lots will be conducted by the respective District Collectors at 8 a.m. on February 5, with provisional licence intimation issued the same day.

He directed excise officials to strictly follow procedures to ensure transparency.