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)
TDP demands probe into ministers-liquor mafia nexus
2011/12/17 16:50:35 The Telugu Desam Party on Saturday demanded that the government order high level probe against the ministers who have allegedly received bribes from the liquor mafia in the state.
Talking to media persons at NTR Trust Bhavan, TDP MLA Motkupalli Narasimhulu demanded that the state government order a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the allegations that some ministers and officials have nexus with the liquor mafia. He said that the Anti Corruption Bureau raids on liquor syndicate have clearly exposed that the ministers were receiving bribe to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore. He alleged that the government was playing with lives of thousands of people in order to mobilize funds for populist schemes.
TDP MLA Bojja Gopala Krishna Reddy demanded that the Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy resign from his post owning moral responsibility for alleged nexus between his Cabinet Ministers and the liquor syndicate.
Another MLA Mandava Venkateswara Rao demanded that the government disclose the details of ACB raids on liquor syndicate. (INN)
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).
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)
Minister links with liquor syndicate, proofs shown in the house
2012/2/15 6:26:51 The Telugu Desam Party on Wednesday demanding the removal of four cabinet ministers for their alleged nexus with the liquor syndicate.
The TDP MLAs led by Gali Muddukrishnamma Naidu met Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy in the assembly premises and submitted a set of documents which reportedly contained evidence that four ministers had nexus with the liquor syndicate. They alleged that ministers - Dharmana Prasad Rao, Ram Reddy Venkat, Botsa Satyanarayana and Mopidevi Venkata Ramana were having connections with the members of the liquor mafia.
The documents submitted to the Chief Minister include a contract brewing license agreement between the Arthos Breweries limited and Credence Venture Capital.
Later, talking to reporters Muddukrishnamma Naidu said that the TDP MLAs have requested the Chief Minister to allot at least two hours for the discussion on liquor syndicate issue. He said while Thanks Giving Motion on Governor's Address too was important, the House should also discuss the liquor syndicate issue on priority.
They TDP MLAs also demanded that all documents related to the raids conducted by the Anti-Corruption Bureau be placed before the House.
MLAs Motkupalli Narasimhulu and D Narendra were part of the TDP delegation. (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)
2011/12/27 16:59:04 The High Court today admitted a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed to reveal the names of the persons involved in the liquor scam.
The division bench comprising Chief Justice Madan B Lokur and Justice Sanjay Kumar admitted the petition filed a by a lawyer who sought directions to the State Government and Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) to disclose the names of those ministers and politicians who were involved in the alleged nexus of liquor syndicate.
The bench adjourned to two weeks, the further hearing on petition filed by advocate Krishnaiah.
There was a nexus of Ministers, MLAs, excise officials and journalists and the syndicate helped in selling liquor sachets in violation of government fixed price, the petitioner pleaded.
He appealed to court to direct the government to order for a CBI probe instead of ACB handling the case, to get a fair and impartial investigation.
The bench said that this can be taken up once ACB submits its report and if there is any difficulty in acquiring the report a separate petition should be filed under Right to Information Act. (INN)
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.
2011/12/19 17:29:52 All India Congress Committee secretary and MLC Ponguleti Sudhakar on Monday condemned the Telugu Desam Party for levelling allegations that the ministers have nexus with the liquor syndicate.
Talking to media persons at Congress Legislature Party Office, Ponguleti said that the TDP has no moral right to criticize the ministers as they have sold arrack sachets directly in the police stations under the name of Varuna Vahini. Alleging that Chandrababu Naidu's regime was notorious for heavy sales of liquor, he challenged the TDP to for a public debate on granting of liquor permits. He said that the Vigilance Commission in its report has exposed several irregularities in liquor permits during the TDP's regime.
Ponguleti said that both Excise and Prohibition Minister Mopidevi Venkataramana Rao and Pradesh Congress Committee president Botsa Satyanarayana have already declared that those involved in the liquor scam would not be spared. He asked the TDP to stop making baseless allegations against Ministers and the Congress party to get mileage in media. (INN)
2011/12/19 17:15:14 The Communist Party of India will participate in the by-elections likely to be held in 24 assembly constituencies in the State.
While seven seats are already vacant, 17 more assembly segments would go for by-polls if the rebel Congress MLAs gets disqualified for violating the party whip. CPI state secretary K Narayana on Monday announced that the party would contest from all the constituencies going for by-elections. However, Narayana told reporters that a final decision in this regard would be taken by January 6-7 after discussing the issue in the party's executive committee meeting to be held in Hyderabad.
Narayana demanded that the State Government come out with the comprehensive details of raids conducted by the Anti Corruption Bureau on liquor shops as they have exposed the nexus between the ministers and the liquor mafia. He said that the government should order a high-level probe into the liquor scam and punish the guilty, irrespective of their position.
He also announced that the CPI would stage protests in front of Excise Offices across the state on December 21 demanding that the liquor shops sell sachets as per the government fixed MRP. (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)
Naidu seeks CM's explanation on ACB officials' transfer
2012/4/7 4:12:41 Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday accused the State Government of shielding the corrupt ministers who are having nexus with the liquor syndicate.
Talking to media persons at NTR Trust Bhavan, Naidu alleged that the government was trying to protect the Transport Minister Botsa Satyanarayana and others from the liquor scam. He accused the government of transferring the sincere officials to water down the investigations into liquor scam. He said that the transfer of outright officials like ACB Joint Director K Srinivasa Reddy would definitely affect the morale of department.
Naidu alleged that the government effected the transfer of ACB investigation officials at the crucial phase to divert the attention of the people and to shield the corrupt ministers. He asked Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy to give an explanation over the transfers and for what purpose he promoted Srinivasa Reddy to Coastal Security.
Stating that 140 elected representatives were allegedly having links with the liquor syndicate, he said that the Chief Minister and Transport Minister Botsa Satyanarayana have no moral right to continue on their posts for trying to punish the honest officials. He said that the government was playing with people’s health and their lives.
Naidu reiterated that his party would intensify its agitation against the liquor mafia in the State. (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.
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)
Naidu seeks Governor's intervention on liquor scam
2012/2/27 7:12:14 Hyderabad, Feb 27 (INN): In protest against State Government’s refusal to table the report of Anti-Corruption Bureau on the liquor syndicate issue in the House, Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday called on Governor E S L Narasimhan at Raj Bhavan and urged him to direct the government to dismiss the ministers involved in the scam.
Talking to media persons after submitting a memorandum to the Governor at Raj Bhavan, Naidu stressed on the need for ordering comprehensive probe into the liquor syndicate operations which have caused huge losses to the State's exchequer. Demanding the dismissal of ministers from Cabinet for their alleged nexus with liquor syndicate, he accused the Kiran Kumar Reddy Government of shielding them to protect his own government.
Describing Kiran Kumar as `weakest Chief Minister’ so far he has seen in his political career, Naidu said that the Chief Minister has no courage to initiate action against his tainted ministers in fear of losing his chair. Seeking Governor's intervention to break the standoff, Naidu said that the ball was now in the court of the Governor to act on the scam.
Several TDP MLAs and MLCs accompanied Naidu to Raj Bhavan.
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)
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.
2012/1/13 13:54:32 Condemning Naidu for levelling charges against him in connection with the liquor syndicate, he said that no member from his family was involved with the liquor mafia.
Botsa also asked YSR Congress president Jagan Mohan Reddy to stop 'malicious' campaign against the government in the name of farmers' cause. He reiterated that Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy Government was committed for the welfare of farmers and have been taking all steps to rescue them. He said opposition parties were staging protests on farmers' issues to get political advantage. (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.
2012/2/27 2:52:37 Hyderabad, Feb 27 (INN): Communist Party of India (Marxist) floor leader Julakanti Rangareddy on Monday demanded that the State Government order judicial probe into the liquor syndicate as several influential persons were involved in scam.
Talking to media persons at Assembly media point, Rangareddy said that the government was afraid of placing the full ACB report in the House and was resorting to postponement of the House frequently to divert the attention of people. He demanded that the government order judicial probe with a sitting High Court judge into the liquor scam to get complete details over the alleged nexus of politicians, excise officials and others.
Protesting against the government's resistance in tabling the ACB report in the assembly, he said that the CPI (M) would meet Governor E S L Narasimhan and seek his intervention on the issue. He appealed to the Governor to recommend the dismissal of ministers and officials involved in the scam and initiate stern action on them.
Rangareddy also came down heavily on the Speaker for frequently adjourning the House without taking up a discussion on people’s issues.
High Court serves notices to State, ACB on liquor syndicate probe
2012/2/27 7:15:15 Hyderabad, Feb 27 (INN): The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Monday served notices to the State Government and Anti-Corruption Bureau over the probe into liquor syndicate.
The notices were issued after the High Court admitted a Public Interest Litigation filed by freedom fighter Devara seeking directions to the government for an impartial probe into the liquor syndicate.
While serving notices, the court directed the government to submit the progress of ACB probe report on liquor syndicates to the court in a sealed cover within three weeks and adjourned the petition for next hearing for three weeks.
In the PIL, the freedom fighter appealed to court to issue directions for an impartial probe as the ACB officials might be influenced by politicians. He appealed to court to order for a judicial probe with sitting High Court judge to get complete details on the alleged nexus of politicians with the liquor syndicate.
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 Telugu Desam Party on Saturday demanded that the government order high level probe against the ministers who have allegedly received bribes from the liquor mafia in the state.
The High Court today admitted a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed to reveal the names of the persons involved in the liquor scam.
All India Congress Committee secretary and MLC Ponguleti Sudhakar on Monday condemned the Telugu Desam Party for levelling allegations that the ministers have nexus with the liquor syndicate.
The Communist Party of India will participate in the by-elections likely to be held in 24 assembly constituencies in the State.
Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday accused the State Government of shielding the corrupt ministers who are having nexus with 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.
Condemning Naidu for levelling charges against him in connection with the liquor syndicate, he said that no member from his family was involved with the liquor mafia.
