Sun Oct 13 00:50:00 UTC 2024: ## AP Government Shocks Liquor Consumers with Unexpected Price Hike
**Amaravati:** The Andhra Pradesh government, despite earlier promises of lower liquor prices, has announced a new policy that will see a significant price hike for alcoholic beverages. The new policy will come into effect on October 16th and will see the introduction of private liquor shops across the state.
Under this new policy, the government will implement a round-up system for liquor pricing. This means that even if the price of a bottle is slightly less than a round figure, it will be rounded up to the nearest whole number. For example, a bottle priced at ₹151 will be sold for ₹160, and a bottle priced at ₹202 will be sold for ₹210.
This round-up system, while seemingly minor, could translate into a price hike of up to ₹9.50 per bottle. While the government has promised the introduction of cheaper “quarter bottles” for ₹99, the new round-up system is likely to offset any potential savings for consumers.
This news has come as a major blow to liquor consumers who had expected the government to lower prices with the introduction of private liquor shops. While the government claims the move aims to offer better quality liquor, many consumers are likely to be unhappy with the unexpected price hike.
First Piper 