Kakinada: Liquor consumption dips by 70% in State

Kakinada: Alcohol Prohibition Awareness Committee (APAC) chairman Vallam Reddy Lakshmana Reddy said that due to reverse tenders called for liquor shops, the State government has saved Rs 108.84 crore to the exchequer.

Lakshmana Reddy conducted a review meeting along with District Collector D Muralidhar Reddy and Joint Collector Dr G Lakshmishaat Collectorate here on Saturday. He said that YSRCP government will in no way compromise on gradual prohibition in the State and steps have already started in this regard.

He said that the Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) is doing a lot of work in curbing illegal transportation of illicit liquor from other States. He said that the special task force has booked 50,000 cases and arrested 61,000 persons and 17,000 vehicles were seized since May 16.

He said that Self-Help Group members would be roped in to help curb liquor consumption. He said that SHG groups will identify persons addicted to liquor and send them to the de-addiction centres in the district government hospitals.

He said that they are giving the training to control the alcohol to the village and ward volunteers. Liquor consumption has dropped by 70 per cent in the State during the past one year, he added.