"Beeru Baru" Govt's New Anthem: TDP

"Beeru Baru" Govt's New Anthem: TDP

Accusing the government of trying to fill its treasure chests with the hard-earned money of the working classes, the Telugu Desam Party on Sunday joined the criticism of the auction for liquor licenses.

Talking to mediapersons on Sunday at NTR Trust Bhavan, party MLA A Revanth Reddy pointed out that the Congress had earlier said that it would curb the spread of illegal liquor sales and control the rise of belt shops.

Revanth Reddy said that during the TDP's term in power, the government had launched a program 'Neeru Meeru' ("water for everyone"). He sarcastically said that now, after coming to power, the Congress government has launched a programme 'Beeru Baru' ("beer bar").

He said that the income to the excise department during the TDP regime was around Rs. 4,000 crore, but during the present rule of the Congress it is expected to touch Rs. 15,000 crore. He said that this shows that the Congress government wants the citizens of the state to be always intoxicated, by making liquor easily available.

The TDP MLA said that the increase in the number of belt shops will generate Rs. 15,000 crore of the hard-earned money of farmers, labourers and people of low income groups.

He said that those who filed for tenders for liquor shops were from the Congress party, and that they filed tenders at a premium. Revanth Reddy accused the Chief Minister K Rosaiah of being aware of the goings-on in the filing of tenders and yet feigning ignorance.

Revanth Reddy claimed that if citizens stop drinking for one month the state will be bankrupt.

In addition, he charged the state government with trying to withdraw welfare schemes like fee reimbursements and scholarships to BC/EBC/SC/STs.

When asked whether the TDP would give preference to the youth as demanded by N Harikrishna and N Balakrishna, the TDP MLA said that the TDP's nominees to the Rajya Sabha were certainly young when compared to the Congress' nominees,

Courtesy: INN