No Belt Shops Under Any Circumstances: Sridhar Babu

Telangana IT and Industries Minister Sridhar Babu today said that the Congress government would not support belt shops in Telangana under any circumstances.

Speaking during an Assembly session, he expressed dismay over the "rampant liquor sales" during the BRS administration, and claimed that the previous government had permitted liquor sales even in small grocery stores.

The minister welcomed the "acknowledgment" by BRS MLA Prashanth Reddy in the Assembly that the belt shops were established during the BRS government's tenure in Telangana.

He also assured the House that the government would ensure corruption-free and transparent operations within the excise department.

For the unversed, BRS MLA Vemula Prashanth Reddy had earlier asked whether the State government's strategy involved introducing new liquor brands and beers, and establishing additional bars and pubs. He had also accused the government of attempting to expand belt shops to increase revenue, and urged it to repeal the existing liquor policy and eliminate belt shops without delay.