Nellore: Government exploiting loopholes in Excise Act to increase revenue says Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy

Nellore: TDP district unit spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy on Saturday said the State government took advantage of loopholes in the Excise Act to increase the revenue by enhancing liquor prices and removing popular brands from the shelves.

Cheap liquor is being sold at the rate ranging from Rs 90 to Rs 120 a quarter. It is posing health problems because it is of poor quality, he said.

Addressing the media at the party office, he came down heavily on the YSR Congress government for the unfair and misguided liquor policy. But he appreciated the government's action in reducing the number of liquor outlets and business hours from 11 am to 8 pm.

TDP leader said the government was acquiring the new brands which are mostly locally manufactured. He also alleged a nexus between the government and the manufacturers in supplying poor quality liquor.

He criticised the Chief Minister for giving Amma Vodi support to the mothers on the on hand and on the other impoverishing the lives of the menfolk by supplying cheap liquor.

With the onset of summer, there will be a variety of beer brands and others and said that nobody has heard of these brands questioning the logic behind stopping popular brands, he said.

At the recent DRC meeting, he said, the government claimed there was reduction in consumption of liquor.

Collection of consumer charges ranging from Rs 10 to Rs 25 was going on and was being pocketed by MLAs, he alleged.