Vociferously opposing the State government’s proposal to introduce cheap liquor in the State, All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) Central Committee member T. Jyothi alleged that the government was hell bent on filling its coffers by selling cheap liquor unmindful of its serious social and financial consequences for poor people.
The detrimental move will play havoc with the lives of poor people and disintegrate their families, she charged.
She was addressing a roadside meeting held as part of the AIDWA’s bus yatra against the government’s proposal to introduce cheap liquor here on Thursday.
Ms. Jyothi alleged that the TRS government was preparing ground to open floodgates for cheap liquor to increase its revenue at the cost of public health on the pretext of curbing gudumba menace.
There used to be one liquor shop for a population of 15,000 during the previous regime in the State. The TRS government has proposed to set up one liquor shop for a population of 10,000 now, she said.
Instead of concentrating on boosting liquor sales, the Telangana government should focus on increasing the number of government hospitals, schools and other public utility facilities in the new State, she said.
More than 1.75 crore women of Telangana State are prepared to contribute Rs. 10 each to fill up the State treasury to avert the peril of cheap liquor, she noted.
AIDWA State president Ashalatha, State secretary B. Hymavathi and others spoke.
Khammam MLA Puvvada Ajay Kumar, leaders of CPI (M), CPI, YSRC, UTF, DYFI, SFI, CITU and several other organisations extended their support to the AIDWA’s campaign against cheap liquor.
