The Government of Andhra Pradesh on January 25, 2025, issued a notification regarding the shops reserved for Sondi Caste.
The Government, under Rule 3(3) of the AP Excise (Grant of License of Selling by Shop and Conditions of License) Rules, 2024, has reserved four (4) shops for the "Sondi Caste" and issued detailed guidelines for their allotment. These guidelines aim to ensure a fair and transparent process while addressing the specific requirements of the Sondi caste population.
The population of the Sondi caste will be determined based on the Smart Pulse Survey, 2016, and mapped from the erstwhile districts to the newly formed districts. However, no shops will be reserved for the Sondi caste in the Scheduled Areas of any district. The allocation of reserved shops within districts will follow the Shop-to-Population ratio (including bars), ensuring that units with a higher ratio receive shops, with a preference for distributing one shop per unit where possible.
The District Prohibition & Excise Officers are tasked with preparing unit-wise proposals for reserved shops and submitting them to the Commissioner of Prohibition & Excise for approval. After the Commissioner’s approval, the District Collector will allocate the reserved shops through a lottery system. Following the lottery, the proposals will again be submitted to the Commissioner for final approval and notification inviting applications.
Applications for the reserved shops will be invited through online, offline, or hybrid models. A non-refundable application fee of ₹2,00,000 will be charged per application, and applicants must provide caste and nativity certificates to establish eligibility. Applicants may only apply for shops within the district mentioned in their caste and nativity certificates.
A "One Person, One License" rule will be enforced to ensure broader benefit. If an applicant is selected for multiple shops, they must choose one, and the remaining shops will be reallocated to other eligible applicants. Additionally, the annual Retail Excise Tax (RET) for reserved shops will be 50% of the rate applicable to open-category shops.
The license period for reserved shops will end on September 30, 2026. The AP Excise Rules, 2024, will govern all aspects of selection, allotment, and administration of reserved shops. The Director of Excise and Prohibition is authorized to establish timelines for the disposal process to ensure timely and efficient implementation.
These measures ensure equitable access, accountability, and effective administration of reserved shop licenses for the Sondi caste.
[Notification No. G.O.Ms.No.22, Revenue (Excise)]
