Govt to introduce new liquor policy on Oct 1 in Vijayawada

Vijayawada: The State government will run liquor outlets and implement the new liquor policy from October 1, said K Narayana Swamy, Deputy Chief Minister and Excise Minister on Saturday.

He said the government will run the liquor outlets and will increase number of government shops in a phased manner and the process has already commenced.

Speaking to the media, the Excise Minister said the State government will take over total 3,500 wine shops. He pointed out that already 475 wine shops were taken over by the government.

He reiterated that the State government is committed to the implementation of liquor ban in a phased manner. Referring to the staff and maintenance of liquor shops, the Minister said about 3,500 supervisors and 8,033 salesmen have been recruited to run the alcohol shops.

As per the Chief Minister's orders, the excise officials are working with dedication, he said. Night watchmen and CC cameras will be set up at the outlets, he added. "We have brought to the notice of Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy regarding the shortage of excise staff and proposed to recruit 678 constable posts for which the Chief Minister had responded positively," said Narayana Swamy.

He alleged that the previous TDP government had allowed functioning of 43,000 belt shops which were closed down after Jagan Mohan Reddy became the Chief Minister. He said so far 2,872 cases were registered and 2,928 people were taken into custody for operating belt shops and the government will take firm steps to check sale of spurious liquor.

The State has registered 4,788 cases on brewing of illicit liquor and 2,834 people were arrested. He said the Chief Minister during his Padayatra promised to ban alcohol in the State in a phased manner. Towards achieving the objective, the government has decided to run the liquor shops. Narayana Swamy said the previous TDP government had considered the alcohol sale as a source of income.

He said the YSRCP was taking necessary measures to abolish illegal liquor shops. He said every hospital will have a de-addiction centre to help the liquor addicts to come out of problem. "We have taken this step to resolve the problems being faced by womenfolk due to liquor consumption in the State."