Expressing disappointment over the revenue-driven excise policy announced by the State government for 2015-17, various civil society organisations and opposition parties here on Wednesday resolved to fight against the liquor menace.
They decided to hold a massive protest to stall the draw of lots for allotment of liquor shops on June 29 and called for a movement at the grass roots level similar to the one launched in Dubagunta by Rosamma in the 1990s, they said.
Andhra Pradesh Madya Niyanthrana Udyama committee chairman V. Lakshmana Reddy chairing a round-table conference here on Wednesday said there was nothing positive in the new liquor policy that would wean away people from liquor and promote healthy Andhra Pradesh.
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“It is unfortunate that liquor continued to be seen as a major source of income by the Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu who signed the file on closure of belt shops soon after assuming office,” said YSR Congress leader P. Anji Reddy.
More people, including women would get addicted to liquor with the allowance of sale of liquor in pubs, hybrid malls and super markets, Communist Party of India (Marxist) district secretary P. Anjaneyulu said.
Progressive Organisation of Women State Secretary B. Padma said no liquor sale should be allowed in radius of 200 metres in case of schools, 300 metres in case of temples and 500 metres in case of national and state highways.
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Rural people with more income at their disposal in the wake of implementation of MGNREGS were frittering away the earnings in liquor consumption, observed Praja Rachayitrula Vedika president P. Rajalakshmi
By fixing a high licence fee of Rs. 30 lakh for a population of 5,001 to 10,000, the government was covertly encouraging liquor sale through belt shops, added city Congress president Sripathy Prakasam. The government had succumbed to the liquor lobby by allowing them to run 90 per cent of the liquor shops with a view to boost the liquor sale by about 20 per cent, ruining the lives of the poor, felt Dalita Hakkula Porata Samiti State convenor Karavadi Subba Rao.
Notification held up
No notification was issued for allotment of liquor shops in Prakasam district in view of MLC election in Prakasam district. Excise officials said the Election Commission was being approached to get clearance for issuing notification.