Liberal Bar Policy: CPI Protests

Activists of the Communist Party of India (CPI) on Tuesday staged a protest in front of Excise Commissioner's Office at Nampally, demanding that the state government immediately withdraw GO Ms No 723, which lays down the criteria for setting up new bars on the basis of population in the state.

Talking to media persons, party secretary V S Bose said that the move would open the flood gates and double the number of bars in the state.

Bose described the move as 'suicidal for the common man'.

He said that by giving liberal licenses for setting up of bars, the Gandhian chief minister Rosaiah has become 'Brandeyudu'.

Former MLA Chada Venkareddy said that the state government is placing the earnings of the poor and the middle class into the hands of the rich, by allowing them to sell liquor freely in the state.

He also said that the state government has bowed to the pressure of the liquor mafia and turned Andhra Pradesh into 'Madyandhra Pradesh'.

Bose condemned what he calls the 'worst move' ever, and cited the examples of Gujarat and Delhi, which have taken strict measures to control the flow of liquor.

He said that people need drinking water, hospitals and ration shops, instead of more bars, and assured that the CPI will fight until government withdraws the GO.

Sensing the situation getting out of control, the police took a few party workers into custody and shifted them to Nampally police station.

Courtesy: INN