Application Fee to Be Refunded on No Draw of Lots for Any Bar
Rule 13 (8)(c) stipulates that no bar will be allotted unless at least four applications are received for a notified bar.
Vijayawada: AP Excise authorities have clarified that application fee will be refunded in case draw of lots is not conducted if applications received for opening a bar in the state are fewer than the mandatory four as part of New Bar Policy 2025–2028.
In a statement issued here on Friday, Excise director Nishant Kumar pointed out that the latest bar policy and the AP Excise (Grant of Licence of Selling by Bar and Conditions of Licence) Rules, 2025, provide for allotment of 840 bars under the open category and 84 bars under the reserved category for Geethakulalu through draw of lots.
As per Rule 13 (1)(a), applicants may file multiple applications, each accompanied by a non-refundable application fee of ₹5 lakh and a processing fee of ₹10,000. Rule 13 (8)(c) stipulates that no bar will be allotted unless at least four applications are received for a notified bar. In such cases, the last date for receipt of applications may be extended.
In this regard, the Excise director pointed out that prospective applicants have raised apprehensions if the minimum number of applications are not received, all the applicants’ non-refundable application fee will go in vain.
“In case draw of lots is not conducted for the reason that fewer than four applications have been received, application fee will be refunded to the applicants,” Nishant Kumar reiterated.