Bar applicants will get fee refund for cancelled draw of lots, says A.P. official

The application fee collected under the New Bar Policy 2025–28 will be refunded in cases where a draw of lots is not conducted due to fewer than four applications being received for a particular bar.

The Director of Excise and Prohibition, Nishant Kumar, clarified on Friday that the New Bar Policy 2025–28 and the A.P. Excise (Grant of Licence of Selling by Bar and Conditions of Licence) Rules, 2025 provide for disposal of 840 bars under the open category and 84 bars under the reserved category of toddy tappers (Geethakulalu) through a draw of lots. As per Rule 13(1)(a), applicants may file multiple applications, each accompanied by a non-refundable application fee of ₹5,00,000 and a processing fee of ₹10,000.

Rule 13(8)(c) stipulates that no selection shall be made unless at least four applications are received for a notified bar. In such cases, the last date for receipt of applications may be extended. However, ambiguity persisted regarding refund of the non-refundable application fee if the minimum number of applications is not met and the draw is not conducted.

Mr. Nishant Kumar stated that this grey area had led to apprehensions among prospective applicants, following which field-level officials sought clarity. “It is hereby clarified that if the draw of lots is not conducted due to fewer than four applications being received, the application fee will be refunded,” he said.