Andhra Pradesh: YSRCP criticises new excise policy

Tadepalli (Andhra Pradesh) [India], October 3 (ANI): Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) Women's Wing President and MLC Varudu Kalyani criticised the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) coalition government on Wednesday for introducing a new liquor policy, expressing concerns about its negative impact on the public, and calling it harmful and designed solely for financial gains.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Kalyani condemned the privatisation of liquor sales, stating that it would lead to the formation of syndicates and widespread exploitation. She questioned why the government was pushing to increase liquor sales when it should be focusing on improving essential services. The cancellation of the previous policy and the introduction of the new one have raised doubts about the government's intentions.
In a video posted by the YSRCP on X, Kalyani said, "The government should take responsibility for controlling alcohol. Why are government-owned liquor shops being handed over to the private sector? The coalition government introduced this 'brandy policy' on Gandhi's birth anniversary."
"It is harmful to privatise alcohol and implement a policy that encourages illegal sales. Women are strongly against it," she added.
Earlier, the TDP-led Andhra Pradesh government notified a new liquor policy, expecting to collect around Rs 5,500 crore in revenue. The policy will come into effect from October 12.
MLC Kalyani also criticised the government for offering cheap liquor, emphasising that instead of addressing the rising prices of essential goods, the focus was on promoting alcohol.
"The government is providing low-cost alcohol, which could damage the social fabric of society," she said.
She further claimed that rather than guaranteeing welfare schemes for women, the government was turning homes into distribution points for alcohol.
Kalyani also voiced concerns over the introduction of liquor malls, comparing them to shopping malls. She argued that unregulated liquor sales would pose serious safety risks for women.
Questioning the government's inconsistency, she asked Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu why liquor sales continued for three months despite him claiming it was of poor quality.
The new liquor policy, notified by the government on September 30, has a two-year licensing period, lasting until 2026. It lifts previous restrictions imposed by the former government, which had prevented private retailers from selling liquor.
The state government's notification has opened more than 3,000 shops across the state to the private sector for liquor sales. (ANI)