Andhra Pradesh heading for liquor prohibition

Amaravati: The Government of Andhra Pradesh has decided to cut down the liquor shops in the State by another 13 per cent. With this the number of liquor shops which was 3,500 would now come down to 2,934. It has also decided to set up a Special Enforcement Bureau (Liquor and Sand) to curb illegal transport and manufacture of liquor and illegal transport of sand.

The YSRCP government has taken this decision as part of its poll promise to impose total prohibition in a phased manner. Soon after coming to power it had reduced the number of liquor shops by 20 per cent besides 4,500 permit rooms, and 43,000 belt shops were closed.

Recently, the price of alcohol has been increased by 75 per cent and the business hours have been reduced to 10 am to 8 pm. Earlier, liquor was available till 10 pm. Bars have been reduced from 840 to 530 now which means a reduction of 40 per cent.

The number of cases filed against illicit liquor makers increased to 3,812 in 2017 to 7,812 in 2020 so far and 5,870 have been arrested. The number of arrested was 2,487 in 2017. The total ID liquor seized this year is 67,482 litres and 16,41,134 litres of wash has been destroyed along with 70,161 kg of black jaggery. In all, 1,541 vehicles have been seized.

Taking a step forward, the State is now contemplating starting a Special Enforcement Bureau. The Director-General of Police would monitor the Special Enforcement Bureau which will be headed by a Commissioner. Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs) will work under the Commissioner in districts and each ASP would have 20 to 30 people working under him. They would be coordinating with District SPs coordinating with neighbouring districts. The

main responsibility of the Bureau would be to prevent smuggling of alcohol, manufacturing of illicit liquor and corruption in sand transportation. The Chief Minister directed the officials to provide the best infrastructure and vehicles for the effective functioning of the bureau.

On the instructions of the Chief Minister three days ago during a review meeting, the officials have come up with a blueprint on setting up the Special Bureau to check illegal manufacture and transport of liquor and illegal transport of sand.