Minister for Excise and Prohibition Kollu Ravindra has announced that the government will recruit youth on contract basis for the sale of liquor at government shops in the State, in view of shortage of regular constabulary.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, the Minister, who was on his way to Amaravati from Kakinada, said that the present, the staff were facing hardships in managing the works-- regular raids and sale of liquor in government outlets-- with their available strength . On cheap liquor sale, the Minister gave an open offer to all the cheap liquor brewers to take counselling from Excise officials or face stringent action including arrest under PD Act.
He said that those leaders or bigwigs who are backing the cheap liquor brewers will not be spared. Mentioning that excise Department is going to take police assistance in curbing cheap liquor and belt shops, Mr. Ravindra said that he had already spoken to DGP J.V. Ramudu in this regard and the latter had agreed to give assistance to Excise department. Admitting that there was an urgent need to fill the vacancies in the department, he said that he had already discussed the issue with Chief Minister and Finance Minister.
Reacting on the sale of IMFL over MRP by the licensed outlets, the Minister said that heavy penalty would be levied on those shops and the department will not hesitate to take criminal action against the errant vendors.
