The Lok Satta Party and its affiliates will take out rallies and conduct sit-ins in all municipal towns on December 24 demanding publication of the names of beneficiaries of liquor syndicate s’ kickbacks and swift and deterrent action against the guilty. The party will associate civil society organizations and liquor victims with its agitation program.
Announcing this, Lok Satta Party General Secretary Katari Srinivasa Rao demanded that the Government take over the liquor trade and ban illegal outlets known as belt shops.
He recalled that sections of media had lighted the links between ruling party and Opposition leaders with liquor syndicates during the 2010 auctions. He accused the Congress and the TDP of shedding crocodile tears over the liquor menace even as they contributed to spreading the liquor cult and made money in the process. He wanted the traditional party leaders to join the Lok Satta in its fight against belt shops and illicit liquor.
Lok Satta Party leaders Katari Srinivasa Rao, Bandaru Ramamohana Rao and P. Rambabu conveyed their condolences over the death Pratik Reddy, son of former Minister Komati Venkata Reddy, and two others in an Outer Ring Road accident. They wanted the Government to take measures to prevent such accidents. (INN)
2011/12/19 9:55:27 Demanding removal of ministers having alleged nexus with the liquor mafia, the Telugu Desam Party on Monday staged a dharna at Gollapudi on the National Highway No 9 disrupting the traffic.
Leading the agitation, MLA Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao demanded that the government disclose the details of report of raids by the Anti Corruption Bureau on the liquor syndicate last week. Asking the government to initiate action against those Ministers for their alleged involvement, he alleged that one-third of the cabinet ministers might be involved in the liquor scam. He also alleged that the family members of Pradesh Congress Committee president Botsa Satyanarayana were having a nexus with the liquor mafia.
Devineni alleged that the liquor syndicate in collusion with the ministers was selling the liquor at higher price in shops violating the MRP and other norms fixed by the government. He demanded that the Chief Minister give an explanation over the issue to clear the doubts among people.
The TDP activists also burnt effigy of the State Government during the protest. (INN)
2011/12/21 16:37:42 The activists of Communist Party of India on Wednesday staged a dharna before the Excise Department office demanding stern action against those involved in the liquor syndicate.
CPI State Secretary M Narayana, who led the protest, told reporters that the State Government should not shield anyone involved in the liquor syndicate. He demanded that the government disclose the contents of the reports of Anti Corruption Bureau's raids on the liquor syndicate.
Narayana asked the government to take action against the liquor syndicates across the State as they have been fleecing the common man by charging exorbitant rates. He also demanded that the government release a White Paper on the issue. (INN)
2012/5/15 7:19:26 Hyderabad, May 15 (INN): The Lok Satta Party on Tuesday termed the State Government’s move to grant liquor shop licenses on a lottery basis as "nothing but old wine in new bottle." The lottery system, which was in vogue until 2004, too has the potential for formation of syndicates and all the evils that go with them.
In a letter, Lok Satta Party Working President D V V S Varma requested Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy to convene an all-party meeting for discussing the new liquor policy.
According to media reports, the Cabinet sub-committee which studied the systems prevailing in a number of States suggested that liquor shops be allotted on a lottery basis. He pointed out it is strange that the sub-committee seeks to revive the Chandrababu Naidu Government policy instead of opting for State take-over of retail trade in liquor as in Delhi and Tamil Nadu.
Varma said that most political parties in the State are in favor of the State Government taking over retail liquor trade and restricting liquor consumption through limiting the number of shops and the days and hours of their working.
He warned the Chief Minister that revival of the Chandrababu policy will neither produce good results nor enhance the Government's image.
2012/2/17 6:53:37 The anti Corruption Bureau has appointed a Special Investigation Team to deal with the liquor syndicate issue in the State.
According to sources, the SIT would have 11 senior officials led by Additional Director Srinivasa Rao to probe into the activities of liquor syndicate in the State. (INN)
TDP's state wide protest against liquor mafia on Dec 26
2011/12/20 17:26:38 The Telugu Desam Party will hold protests before the District Collectorate across the State on December 26 against fleecing of poor consumers with exorbitant prices by liquor mafia and syndicates in the State.
Addressing a press conference at NTR Trust Bhavan here on Tuesday, TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu questioned the silence of Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on the exposure of corrupt activities of the liquor syndicate during the raids conducted by the Anti Corruption Bureau across the state. He demanded that the State Government convene an all party meeting to discuss the issue of liquor scam.
Naidu said that he would meet the Chief Minister on Thursday and Governor E S L Narasimhan on December 24 to explain the financial damage due liquor syndicates. He demanded that every liquor shop should put a MRP board for consumer’s benefit. The government should close belt-shops across the State and also book criminal charges against all those involved in the liquor syndicates.
Naidu alleged that the government has thrown all social responsibilities to wind and playing games with the lives of people by acting irresponsibly. He also slammed Transport Minister Botsa Satyanarayana for openly justifying and defending the continuance of liquor syndicates in the state.
Instead of prohibiting liquor, Naidu said that the government itself was promoting the liquor consumption for mobilizing funds.
The TDP chief demanded that the government disclose the names of all the ministers and MLAs who were found involved in the liquor mafia. “It is high time for the government to announce a new permit system for liquor shops to put an end to the nexus between liquor syndicate and others,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Telugu Desam Mahila unit leaders and workers staged a dharna in front of the Nampally Excise Commissioner’s Office demanding dismissal of Ministers who are patronising the liquor syndicates. (INN)
Govt ready to order probe into liquor scam: Minister
2011/12/19 1:35:30 Excise & Prohibition Minister Mopidevi Venkataramana Rao on Sunday stated that the state government was ready to order probe into liquor scam in the wake of alleged nexus between Ministers and liquor syndicate.
Talking to media persons at the Congress Legislature Party Office, Mopidevi Venkataramana Rao said that the government was ready to initiate action on those ministers, if found involved in receiving the bribes from liquor syndicate.
“Even I am ready to face any kind of probe against me in this connection,” he said. Stating that the government yet to receive a report from the Anti Corruption Bureau over the raids and seizing of documents, he said once the probing agency submits its report, the government would initiate action against those who are responsible for the scam.
He said the ACB was doing its duty and not targeting anyone in this regard. He said that excise officials have booked 780 cases against those liquor shops which are selling liquor at more than MRP.
Stating that Rs 50,000 fine imposed on shops for booking them for first time, he said the officials would impose Rs 1 lakh for registering case for second time. If the shop was booked for third time, he said the department would cancel the licence of shop.
Admitting the loopholes in auction of liquor shops, he said the government would take all steps to maintain transparency in auction and announce a new liquor policy by Budget session.
He said the TDP has no moral right to seek a probe on liquor scam as more number of belt shops came during their tenure.(INN)
2011/12/24 9:11:21 The Communist Party of India on Friday demanded that the State Government immediately release a `White Paper’ on the Anti Corruption Bureau raids on the liquor syndicate as thousands of crores of rupees were involved in the scam.
Talking to reporters at Maqdoom Bhavan, CPI State Secretary K Narayana also demanded that the government order Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the liquor syndicate following reports of alleged involvement of politicians, excise officials and journalists. He said that the delay in releasing of ACB report giving room for suspicion that government was openly shielding the guilty involved in the scam.
Narayana asked as to why Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy was afraid of disclosing the contents of the ACB report. He demanded the government take severe action against the guilty, irrespective of their position as per relevant laws. He advised the government to review the Excise Policy and make it fool-proof to put an end to irregularities during liquor auction.
The CPI leader also slammed the government on sand mining policy and bauxite mining in agency areas of Visakhapatnam district. He warned the government of serious consequences if it fails to cancel the permits for bauxite mining in agency areas violating the environment and forest acts. (INN)
2012/2/15 7:06:05 TDP leaders stage dharna against liquor syndicate before Hyderabad Collectorate here on Wednesday.
PCC president Botsa Satyanarayana alleges that Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy is having secret pact with opposition leader Chandrababu. In the wake of his statement, the TDP spearheading on liquor syndicate issue should be considered to be a strategic move made by Chandrababu Naidu on behalf of Kiran Kumar Reddy, who wants to square Botsa Satyanarayana to safeguard his chair.
The recent raids by ACB on liquor syndicates is also said to be mainly aimed at Botsa Satyanarayana, who is said to be handling liquor syndicates in his place. However, the ACB raids were misfired and they unearths the unethical links between political leaders and liquor syndicates, especially finding Excise Minister Mopidevi Venkata Ramana's name in top in liquor syndicates bribe-log-book, creates havoc in the party circles. So, Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy position has suddenly changed from offensive to defensive position, with these unexpected developments. Then, he might have handed over the 'liquor syndicate' weapon to TDP to fight on his behalf. So is the dharna by TDP?
So, TDP's every move on liquor syndicate obviously fumes Botsa Satyanarayana. That's why he asked the TDP in the floor why it is so keen about only liquor syndicates where as there are many issues to be discussed in the Assembly. His question itself reveals how frustrated he is with liquor syndicate issue raised by TDP, probably on Kiran's behalf.
Panchayats enforcing prohibition need to rewarded: LS
2012/1/16 12:03:15 Welcoming the Excise Minister’s move to constitute a committee to campaign against the liquor menace, the Lok Satta Party on Monday suggested that the State Government reward panchayats enforcing Prohibition with an annual grant of Rs 100,000.
Lok Satta Party President D VV S Varma in a statement suggested that the anti liquor campaign committee should have enough resources and powers to accomplish the Government’s objective.
Varma recalled that the Congress Party, which returned to power in 2004 by promising to usher in Prohibition in phases, has done all that it could to encourage liquor consumption by auctioning liquor shops. Subsequently, it formed an anti liquor campaign committee devoid of powers and funds for rehabilitating some party workers.
The committee did not fulfill its promise of granting a cash incentive of Rs.100,000 to panchayats enforcing Prohibition although the Lok Satta submitted a list of such villages, he said. If history were not to repeat itself, the Government should allocate more than Rs.40 crore for the proposed committee and confer adequate powers on it.
Varma reiterated the party demand that the Government itself run retail liquor shops in the excise year beginning July 2012. The decision to permit or deny location of a liquor shop in a village should be left to its panchayat/or gram sabha. (INN)
2012/4/22 11:26:03 Hyderabad, April 22 (INN): The Telugu Desam Party on Sunday condemned Pradesh Congress Committee president Botsa Satyanarayana's criticism against TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu.
Talking to reporters at NTR Trust Bhavan, former minister Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy said that Botsa has no moral right to criticise Chandrababu Naidu. He claimed that it was the TDP who approached the Vizianagaram police on April 14 seeking permission to hold dharna against the liquor syndicate on April 21,22 and 23rd. However, he said Botsa has wrongly claimed that the Congress party was the first to seek police permission.
Chandramohan Reddy said that it was strange that the Congress party whose top leaders are facing the allegations of corruption were planning to hold a dharna against the opposition parties. He said that the investigation by the Anti-Corruption Bureau has proved that Botsa and other Congress leaders were having nexus with the liquor mafia and now they were trying to stop the prevent the opposition parties from exposing the truth before the people. He alleged the transfer of ACB Additional Director Srinivas Reddy was a proof that Botsa was trying to influence the investigation to conceal his involvement.
The TDP leader also alleged that Botsa played a major role in the corruption of former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy and remained a mute spectator to the corruption of Kadapa MP Jagan Mohan Reddy. Alleging that Botsa and his family members earned a fortune in the last 25 years, he asked the PCC chief to clarify as to how he earned a wealth of more than Rs 10,000 crore.
Chandramohan Reddy said that the TDP would hold a dharna in Vizianagaram, at any cost.
Final report on liquor syndicate will be my priority: Prasada Rao
2012/5/22 8:20:13 Hyderabad, May 22 (INN): Director General of Anti-Corruption Bureau B Prasad Rao on Tuesday said that the department was in consultation with the legal experts to prepare a final report on the investigations into the liquor syndicate.
Prasad Rao told INN that the ACB would soon finalise the report on the liquor syndicate across the State and submit the same to the Andhra Pradesh High Court. He said presently the department was in the process of analysing the outcome of investigations into different cases that there were booked in connection with the liquor syndicate. "Submission of final report to the High Court on liquor syndicate will be my top priority," he said.
Prasad Rao, who took charge as the ACB-DG on Monday, dismissed reports that appeared in a section of media that he was close to Pradesh Congress Committee president Botsa Satyanarayana. He said he never had any political affiliations and would perform his duties without fear or favour.
He also said that the Anti-Corruption Bureau was not new to him and he has worked with the department for a period of nearly five years. He was with the ACB from 1998 to 2002 and later he was given posting in the department for a period of one year.
Seeking public support to curb corruption in the State, he said that he would give priority to resolve all the pending cases in the ACB.
2012/4/21 3:18:59 Hyderabad, April 21 (INN): The Telugu Desam Party has accused the State Government of trying to suppress the voice of the opposition parties by using police forces and anti-social elements.
Talking to reporters at the Telugu Desam Legislature Party office after submitting a memorandum to Director General of Police V Dinesh Reddy here on Saturday, TDP deputy floor leader Gali Muddu Krishnamma Naidu said that the ruling Congress party has been trying to suppress the opposition's voice. He said that the TDP has given a representation to the DGP seeking permission to hold a dharna against liquor mafia in the Vizianagaram district.
Originally, TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu was to lead a protest and dharna in the district on April 21 (Saturday). However, the district police denied the permission stating that the Congress party has already been given permission for some programme. When the protest date was changed to April 23, the district police again denied permission as Congress party too was planning to hold an event on the same day.
Muddu Krishanamma Naidu appealed the DGP to fix a date by himself and permit the TDP to organise protest against the liquor syndicate. He alleged that the ruling Congress party was obstructing the protests by opposition parties to ensure that people remain unaware of the alleged involvement of PCC president Botsa Satyanarayana and other ministers in the multi-crore liquor syndicate. However, he said that the TDP would expose all those involved in the liquor syndicate.
The TDP leader also expressed regret that the State Government was yet to react to the High Court's directive to review the orders of transfer of former ACB Additional Director K Srinivasa Reddy. He demanded that the State Government take stern action against all the politicians, including those belonging to the TDP, who had nexus with the liquor syndicate.
Muddu Krishanamma Naidu said that the TDP would organise protests across the State against the land, sand and bauxite mafias.
2011/12/20 17:32:10 Minor Irrigation Minister TG Venkatesh on Tuesday stated that the Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy was considering to make a special law to check irregularities in the liquor syndicate.
Talking to media persons after participating in a programme, Venkatesh said that the Chief Minister would soon convene a meeting to discuss the new law. He also announced that the contents of the report of the Anti Corruption Bureau would be made public. The government would disclose the names of politicians, officials, police and journalists, whose names figured in the receiving kickbacks from the liquor syndicate, he said.
The Minister said that the government would deal with the liquor mafia with a firm hand under the new law and nobody, irrespective of their position, would be spared if found guilty. He also suspected the involvement of leaders of all political parties in the liquor scam. (INN)
2012/4/23 4:07:18 Hyderabad, April 23 (INN): Pradesh Congress Committee president Botsa Satyanarayana on Monday came down heavily on Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu for staging dharna in Vizianagaram district on the liquor syndicate issue.
Talking to media persons at Ministers’ Quarters, Botsa Satyanarayana dubbed Naidu's dharna as a stunt to get mileage on the liquor syndicate issue before the ensuing by-elections. However, the people of the State would not believe Naidu and teach him a fitting lesson in the elections, he said. He alleged that Naidu, by staging protest on liquor syndicate issue, tried to disturb law and order in the peaceful town of Vizianagaram.
The PCC chief also accused Naidu of taking law into his hands. Alleging that Naidu has been resorting to black mail tactics against the officials, he said though many leaders from the TDP were involved in the liquor syndicate, Naidu has been targeting the Congress party without taking action against his party men.
Botsa asked as to why Naidu did not constitute a committee to take action against the TDP leaders having nexus with the liquor syndicate. He also asked as to why Naidu was not demanding cancellation of licenses for benamis of liquor shop. He alleged that Naidu was not making such a demand as his party men were involved in the scam.
Stating that Naidu has lost power due to his irresponsible attitude, Botsa said that the people would strip Naidu of the post of Opposition Leader in the next elections if he continues with this behaviour.
To claim that he was born rich, Botsa said that his father has purchased 75 acres of land about 30 years ago from TDP's senior leader Ashok Gajapathi Raju. However, he said Naidu, who owned just two acres of land before entering politics and through corruption he became owner of 2,000 acres of land. He said that he never adopted illegal means to earn money. “I did not back stab my father-in-law to become the Chief Minister,” he said while comparing himself with Naidu.
2011/12/19 1:24:45 The Telugu Desam Party on Sunday demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation into the liquor scam in the state.Addressing a press conference at district party office, TDP MLA Devineni Umamaheswara Rao demanded that the government register cases against those Ministers for their alleged involvement in the liquor mafia.He said the CBI probe into excise-police-political nexus would come up with complete details and reveal more names in a couple of days.
He said the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) searches at the offices of liquor syndicates in several parts of the state have revealed the nexus between the Ministers and liquor syndicate.
He suspected that the family members of Pradesh Congress Committee president Botsa Satyanarayana might have been involved in the liquor syndicate. He demanded the ACB officials to reveal the documents which were seized during the raids in the state.
Meanwhile the Communist Party of India state secretary K Narayana demanded that the government order CB-CID probe into liquor scam in the State (INN).
2012/1/29 14:33:56 The Anti Corruption Bureau will submit its report to the ACB Court on liquor syndicate on Monday.
In a statement, the ACB said that it would submit its 750-page report to the court about the raids conducted in Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, Prakasam, Krishna, Guntur, Warangal, East and West Godavari districts. Along with the report, the ACB will also submit several key documents, records and other material seized during the raids across the State.
The ACB said that 11 members of liquor syndicate and eight officials from the Excise Department were arrested in the case. The ACB, during its raids, has reportedly found one excise inspector in possession of Rs 22 lakh and two excise sub-inspectors received Rs 10 lakh each as kickbacks.
The report is likely to expose the nexus between the liquor mafia, excise and police officials and also the journalists. (INN)
2012/4/17 8:18:07 Hyderabad, April 17 (INN): The Anti-Corruption Bureau Court on Tuesday granted bail to two accused in the liquor syndicate case.
The court granted bail to Sangareddy ACB circle inspector Som Narayan Singh and liquor trader Mohan Reddy. They have been asked to furnish the surety of Rs one lakh each.
Meanwhile, the court has rejected the bail petition of another accused B Balraj Goud following the objection raised by the ACB. While rejecting his bail plea, the court extended Balraj Goud's judicial remand till April 24.
TDP will hold dharna in Vizianagaram on Monday: Yerran Naidu
2012/4/22 3:12:57 Srikakulam, April 22 (INN): The Telugu Desam Party has announced that it would hold dharna against the liquor syndicate in Vizianagaram on Monday, at any cost.
Talking to reporters here on Sunday, former MP and TDP polit-bureau member K Yerran Naidu said that his party was firm on holding a dharna on Monday, even if the local police deny permission. He warned that the State Government would be responsible for the consequences of preventing TDP's dharna in the district.
Yerran Naidu asked the local police to explain the reasons for denying permission to the TDP to hold protest in the district. He alleged that Pradesh Congress Committee President Botsa Satyanarayana was pressuring the local police to deny permission to TDP's dharna. He said that TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu has been the Chief Minister for almost nine years and it was wrong on the part of local police to deny him permission to stage protest.
The TDP leader alleged that the police has been flouting norms by denying permission and in a democratic country everyone was free to hold peaceful protests.
2012/3/3 4:10:10 Communist Party of India state secretary K Narayana on Saturday stated that his party would go for the by-elections campaign individually.
Talking to media persons at his party office, Narayana stated that the party would not go along with Telangana Political Joint Action Committee during the campaign though it supports the JAC.
Regarding liquor auctions, Narayana said that his party would attack the auction centres during the invitation of tenders for the same in next two months. He warned the government of serious consequences if it does not change the policy on liquor auction.
Justifying the disqualification of 17 MLAs from the State Assembly by Speaker Nadendla Manohar under the Anti Defection Law, he said that the delay in initiating action on the rebel MLAs has brought disrepute to the Speaker’s post.
Narayana also expressed regrets for his unsavory comments against Minister for Heavy Industries Dr J Geetha Reddy and apologised for the remarks. Earlier, Naryana has stated that Geetha Reddy knew nothing about her portfolio and her entire focus was on looking beautiful. (INN)
2012/2/12 7:49:52 The Lok Satta Party on Sunday demanded that the government do away with special and discretionary funds being allocated to the Chief Minister and MLAs and utilize them for priority sectors.
In a media statement, Lok Satta working president DVVS Varma said that the priorities in the forthcoming budget should shift from extending temporary sops to making people self-reliant. It should allocate funds for ensuring quality education, healthcare and skills to all, baling out agriculture from crisis, and rejuvenating industry. Local governments should be empowered with devolution of funds and powers.
During the budget session of the Legislative Assembly beginning from February 13, Varma said that the party would focus its attention on the liquor policy, relief to the crisis-ridden farmer, elections to local bodies and resolution of issues raised by various sections. He appealed to all parties to help facilitate a thorough discussion on the issues.
Varma said that all parties should join hands in getting the present liquor policy, which has spawned a politics-dictating liquor mafia, changed.
He appealed to all parties to pass the budget only after a thorough discussion. (INN)
The Lok Satta Party and its affiliates will take out rallies and conduct sit-ins in all municipal towns on December 24 demanding publication of the names of beneficiaries of liquor syndicate s’ kickbacks and swift and deterrent action against the guilty. The party will associate civil society organizations and liquor victims with its agitation program.
Demanding removal of ministers having alleged nexus with the liquor mafia, the Telugu Desam Party on Monday staged a dharna at Gollapudi on the National Highway No 9 disrupting the traffic.
The activists of Communist Party of India on Wednesday staged a dharna before the Excise Department office demanding stern action against those involved in the liquor syndicate.
Excise & Prohibition Minister Mopidevi Venkataramana Rao on Sunday stated that the state government was ready to order probe into liquor scam in the wake of alleged nexus between Ministers and liquor syndicate.
The Communist Party of India on Friday demanded that the State Government immediately release a `White Paper’ on the Anti Corruption Bureau raids on the liquor syndicate as thousands of crores of rupees were involved in the scam.
Welcoming the Excise Minister’s move to constitute a committee to campaign against the liquor menace, the Lok Satta Party on Monday suggested that the State Government reward panchayats enforcing Prohibition with an annual grant of Rs 100,000.
Communist Party of India state secretary K Narayana on Saturday stated that his party would go for the by-elections campaign individually.
