ANDHRA PRADESH: Liquor War Erupts in Andhra: Ruling vs Opposition Face-Off
Allegations Fly from Opposition
Former minister Perni Nani has leveled serious charges against the ruling TDP-led alliance, claiming a surge in counterfeit liquor operations since they assumed power in Andhra Pradesh.
He accused officials of extorting Rs.7 lakh per urban wine shop and Rs 5 lakh in municipalities under the guise of permit rooms.
Nani further criticized the reintroduction of QR codes as a superficial measure to mask deeper issues in liquor regulation.
YSRCP’s Stance on QR Code Policy
YSRCP leaders assert that their previous administration implemented QR codes to track liquor authenticity, only for the current government to scrap it upon taking office.
They question the 18-month delay in reinstating the system, suggesting it allowed fake liquor to proliferate statewide.
This move, they argue, was deliberate to enable illicit sales before public outcry forced a reversal.
Permit Rooms and Belt Shops Under Scrutiny
Critics point to the establishment of permit rooms in all 3,736 licensed liquor outlets as a revenue ploy that overlooks safety.
Perni Nani highlighted over 150,000 unauthorized belt shops allegedly selling adulterated spirits, fueling widespread health risks.
Opposition figures like Jogi Ramesh have challenged the chief minister to swear an oath denying involvement, escalating the rhetoric.
SIT Probe Gains Momentum
The Special Investigation Team has intensified its inquiry into the spurious liquor cases, gathering evidence from police FIRs and related documents.
Reports suggest notices may soon reach certain YSRCP figures amid ongoing searches at properties linked to party members.
This follows earlier revelations of a multi-crore scam during the prior regime, with both sides trading barbs over accountability.
Government Counters with New Measures
In response, the state has mandated QR code scanning via the AP Excise Suraksha app for all liquor sales starting mid-October, aiming to verify bottle genuineness at outlets.
Chief Minister Naidu launched the tool to combat fake alcohol, urging consumers to check holograms before purchase.
Ruling party voices dismiss opposition agitation as deflection from their own past lapses.
Statewide Protests and Demands
YSRCP organized demonstrations across districts, demanding a CBI probe into the fake liquor network and stricter oversight of bars and shops.
They allege coercion of accused individuals like Janardhan to implicate opposition leaders falsely. Amid these clashes, authorities emphasize uniform enforcement to restore public trust in the system.