Congress to launch stir against rampant sale of liquor in TS

Hyderabad: Congress will launch an agitation against the rampant sale of liquor in view of the upcoming elections to the municipalities as it feels that unrestrained boozing is leading to law and order problems in the State.

The party wants to expose the government on worsening the law and order situation in the State. It considers that municipal polls would be good opportunity to nail the government.

The party leaders came to an understanding on this issue at the Core Committee meeting held at Gandhi Bhavan on Saturday.

When the Core Committee was discussing the gang rape and brutal murder of Priyanka Reddy, the issue came up for discussion and several leaders pointed out that rampant sale of liquor has been leading to many problems, particularly to crime against women.

The leaders felt that the Congress must take up an agitation to bring pressure on the government to control the belt shops and permit rooms.

They said that Telangana is in number one position in consumption and sale of liquor.

They opined that the agitation for control of liquor sales would help the party to make gains in the municipal elections.

Apart from liquor, other issues like RTC bus fare hike and brutal gang rape and murder of Priyanka Reddy came for discussion.

The Core Committee meeting was held to discuss the prevailing situation in the State arising out of the RTC strike, ensuing municipal elections, and atrocities on the women.

The leaders primarily identified rampant sale of liquor and unrestricted boozing as the reason for the incidents like Priyanka murder and gang rape.

Due to the permit rooms and the belt shops liquor is available everywhere and consumption of liquor has been abetting crime and atrocities on women.

During the meeting, the leaders said that selection of candidates for the municipal polls should be taken after the reorganisation of wards and announcement of reservations.

By the time of announcement of the schedule, the party should take up agitation on the liquor, on the hike of bus fares and also local problems.

The party will also take up a signature campaign against RTC bus fare hike.

The town committees would focus on the issues of the municipalities and take up programmes for their resolution. A programme to take up agitation against rampant sale of liquor should be announced soon.