The ongoing campaign against the alleged move to open liquor outlets in residential areas in Bhadrachalam has been gaining momentum. Over the past few weeks, there have been numerous protests with increasing clamour for ban on sale of liquor in the temple town. As many as seven retail liquor outlets were allocated to the prospective licensees in Bhadrachalam town by the Prohibition and Excise Department through a draw of lots conducted last month. The ‘mandatory consent’ of the gram sabha for setting up the liquor outlets in the major gram panchayat of Bhadrachalam has already been obtained, sources said.
The alleged move by some traders who had secured provisional licences to set up outlets in the areas along the Gollagatta thoroughfare sparked protests by people residing in the colonies nearby. The agitated residents of these colonies had already launched a vociferous banner campaign opposing the move citing its adverse effects on public health and safety. Sources said that some of the traders were mulling a proposal to open three liquor outlets in the semi-commercial areas along the ITDA road in view of the ban on sale of liquor along the highways.
Meanwhile, the relay hunger strike by several aggrieved residents mainly comprising women of Medical Colony and its adjoining localities against the traders’ alleged move, entered the sixth day on Sunday.
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Bhadrachalam MLA Sunnam Rajaiah, a host of leaders of various organisations extended their support.