On Tuesday, Lok Satta Party state president Katari Srinivasa Rao sharply criticized the Excise department's proposal for the legalization of illegal liquor (or more specifically, arrack) outlets known as belt shops in the state, a suggestion that was made on grounds that their closure would lead to illicit distillation of liquor.
In a media statement, Katari recalled that the Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy
had publicly announced his intention to close down belt shops in response to a long-standing demand from women.
The Lok Satta Party had, in the past, launched a movement against belt shops as the liquor sold at these shops played havoc with the health and finances of millions of people all over the state.
Rao told reporters, "The government spent only a fraction of the revenue it earned from the sale of liquor on the so-called schemes meant for the welfare of the common person. Even as it ruined poor people's health by facilitating easy consumption of liquor, it claimed to take care of their health through schemes like Aarogyasri".
Katari demanded that the Chief Minister keep his pledge by ensuring that all belt shops are shut down as early as possible.
He also said that the CM should not allow his ministerial colleagues to get away by claiming that there are no belt shops in the state.
Katari said that the government should be abdicating its right to govern if it admits that it cannot control illicit distillation of liquor in the wake of the closing of belt shops.
"The Lok Satta had already suggested that the government empower and enable village panchayats and self-help groups to control illicit distillation. It can even stipulate that failure to control illicit distillation will result in the elected panchayat being dissolved," he said.
Srinivasa Rao reiterated the Lok Satta's demand that the government run liquor outlets itself instead of allocating them to private individuals.
"Belt shops cannot be eliminated as long as private operators are in place as proliferation of belt shops will boost their sales, revenue and profits. The government should effect the change in the new excise year, which is just around the corner," said Rao
Srinivasa Rao said that the Lok Satta Party would like the Government to restrict liquor consumption by limiting the number of official outlets and their working hours, by shutting down all illegal outlets and by dealing with illicit distillation of liquor and the manufacture of gudumba (illictly brewed toxic alcohol), with an iron hand. (INN)