Income Tax officials cracked the whip on the A.P. Beverages Corporation Limited and sealed its liquor depot on the outskirts of Kadapa town on Friday.
Income Tax Officer Gopal Naik and Inspectors Padmanabham, Raghuramaiah and Srinivasulu also took statement from Kadapa liquor depot manager Suresh Rao. “Raids are being conducted in liquor depots across State,” Mr. Naik said.
Liquor depots owe IT arrears to the tune of Rs. 1,468 crore, with the Kadapa depot alone owing arrears of Rs. 116 crore since 2004-05, he added.
Meanwhile, Mr. Suresh Rao said IT officials were raiding liquor depots as part of a drive to recover arrears. Since the Kadapa depot has been sealed, there will be no liquor sales for the next 10 days.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Excise Prem Prasad warned of stern action against vendors if they sold liquor at exorbitant prices. Vigil has been stepped up to monitor the prices at which liquor is sold at wine shops, he added.
