TDP leader flays State liquor policy in Nellore

Nellore: TDP district spokesperson Anam Venkataramana Reddy said that the present liquor policy is a riddle which only the YSR Congress government can unravel. On one hand, they are reducing the number of shops and on the other, they have increased the price to hike the government revenue at the cost of people's wealth and health which they claim to be trying to curb.

Moreover, the shops are being run by government on contract basis. He addressed the media at the party office here on Thursday and said most of the shops which were closed and surrendered, around 800, were only due to non-viability. So, he said that the claim of the government that they have reduced the shops by 20 per cent is a bogus one.

TDP leader said that the shops are being closed by 8 pm, but the maximum business starts at that time only. The government is allowing the bars to get the maximum benefit by allowing them to run up to 10.30 pm.

He demanded the government for the closure of bars and restaurants by 8 pm. He said the increase in price paves way for smuggling and illicit liquor since AP has the border with four states.