The South Zone team of Commissioner’s Task Force has arrested a person who was allegedly involved in the illegal sale of liquor. The police have seized 255 IML whiskey and beer bottles from his possession.
According to police, on credible information the accused C Vishwanath was arrested for allegedly selling liquor at his residence at Sai Baba Nagar in Chatrinaka. Police claimed that Vishwanath has confessed that he was illegally selling the liquor bottles from his residence for the last six months at higher rates.
Police seized 135 whiskey bottles of various brands, 120 Beer bottles of King Fisher and net cash of Rs 3,900 from his possession.
The arrested accused and seized property were handed over to Chatrinaka Police Station for further action. (INN)
The elections to the state legislative council are being held today. What has surprised the observers is that large scale distribution of money, gifts and liquor to woo the voters.
Even in the graduates’ constituency, the voters are being wooed by contestants with cell phones, liquor, silk saris and money. In some cases, the candidates are reportedly paying up to Rs. 4,000 for a single vote.
The sale of liquor has also gone up considerably over the last few days. The contestants have lifted stock in huge quantities and stored it at secret locations for distribution amongst voters.
2007/12/19 21:17:32 The prices of Beer and hard liquor have gone up steeply. The state government has hiked the prices of IMFL steeply. The effect comes into force from Wednesday. Accordingly the cost of a beer bottle has gone up from the present 50 rupes to 60 rupees. The cost of rum and wine too has gone up by about 20 rupees for a bottler of 750 ml.
The hike comes at the wrong time say many. This being the festive season, the hike has come as a dampener. The sale of liquor gores up considerably during the year-end, particularly during the run up to Christmas and the New Year. The consumption of liquor shoots up by almost 50 percent during this period touching even 200 per cent by the time of the New Year eve celebrations.
2012/3/16 7:18:10 Chief Electoral officer Banwarlal on Friday stated that the Election Commission has set up 660 polling booths in seven assembly segments where by-elections would be held on March 18.
Briefing the media about the arrangements for the by-elections, he said that the Commission has taken all measures for the conduct of polls in a free and fair manner by voters. Apart from imposing ban on exit poll surveys, the commission has also imposed ban on electronic media over the campaigns. The commission has also imposed a ban on sending bulk SMS for the next 48 hours, he said.
Bhanwarlal said that the commission has also imposed ban on sale of liquor till the completion of polling. He said that the commission has seized Rs 9 crore cash from the poll-bound areas. He warned that the commission would take stern action the officials who indulge in poll irregularities and try to influence the voters through money or liquor. (INN)
2012/2/24 7:31:42 Hyderabad, Feb 24 (INN): The left parties, Bharatiya Janata Party and Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen on Friday staged a walk-out from the State Legislative Assembly for non-acceptance of their demands during the debate on liquor syndicate.
Talking to reporters later, BJP floor leader E Lakshminaraynana said that the State Government has failed to regulate the sale of liquor in the State. He said the BJP has demanded constitution of a House Committee to probe into the liquor syndicate, which was not accepted by the government.
CPI (M) floor leader J Ranga Reddy said that the State Government should have ordered judicial enquiry into the scam. But instead of exposing the corrupt, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy was openly defending his cabinet colleague and Excise Minister Mopidevi Venkata Ramana who has been accused of taking bribe from the liquor syndicate. He alleged that the TDP and Congress MLAs have misused the House to level personal allegations.
CPI MLA Chandravati condemned the debate on liquor syndicate and said that senior MLAs have set a bad precedent for junior MLAs like her by misusing the House to level personal allegations.
Similarly, MIM members staged a walkout from the House while demanding total prohibition in the State.
2011/12/21 16:41:49 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)
Disclose the names of liquor kickback recipients: LS
2011/12/20 17:22:56 The Lok Satta Party on Tuesday demanded that the State Government straightway disclose the names of people's representatives, officials and others who have received kickbacks from liquor syndicates.
It may be recalled that the State's Anti Corruption Bureau had raided the offices of liquor syndicates and seized documents testifying to payment of bribes to influential people for conniving at their illegal activities.
Addressing a media conference, Lok Satta Party Acting Working President V Laxman Balaji and other leaders said that the Government should inquire into the scam without delay and mete out stringent punishment including confiscation of ill-gotten property to the guilty.
The leaders recalled that it is only the Lok Satta Party which had agitated against auction of liquor shops as it anticipated its inexorable consequences. Those who obtained liquor shops at exorbitant rates have been indulging in malpractices like selling liquor at more than maximum retail prices, palming off spurious liquor, encouraging opening of belt shops and running unofficial bars at licensed retail outlets.
They alleged that traditional political parties like the Congress and the Telugu Desam, which believe in luring voters with liquor, running liquor shops in benami names and accepting party funds from liquor mafia did not join the Lok Satta in its agitation.
Both the Congress and the TDP had been guilty of turning liquor into a cash cow for the State exchequer and ruining the health and finances of the poor, they charged. The poor are squandering their earnings under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme on consuming liquor as liquor shops have become omnipresent. They demanded that the Government publish a white paper on the funds it spends on the welfare of the poor and the revenue it derives from liquor sales.
The Lok Satta leaders demanded that the Government run liquor shops by doing away with the auction system. It should put an end to belt shops and illicit liquor, and drastically regulate the number of liquor outlets. Village panchayats should have the freedom to decide whether there should be a liquor outlet in the village or not, they added. (INN)
Lok Satta demands action against liquor scam accused
2012/2/8 14:50:15 Hyderabad, Feb 8 (INN): The Lok Satta Party on Wednesday demanded that Excise Minister Mopidevi Venkata Ramana, facing charges of accepting a bribe from a liquor syndicate, resign immediately accepting moral responsibility and face the ACB inquiry.
The party also wanted the Government to suspend all officials figuring in the ACB report as bribe takers. Similarly, media managements should act against their employees found guilty in the liquor scandal. Legislators facing charges should cooperate with the inquiry without distracting it.
The Lok Satta Party spelt out its stand on the liquor scam unearthed by the Anti Corruption Bureau at a media conference addressed by Working President DVVS Varma, and other leaders.
The ACB raids have revealed, said the Lok Satta leaders, that all 'sampradaya rajakiya' (sara) (traditional political) parties including the Congress and the Telugu Desam have been guilty of turning Andhra Pradesh into a 'Madyandhrapradesh' by being partners in liquor trade and in forming liquor syndicates despite their protestations against the liquor menace. Although the players in the liquor trade belong to different parties, they are hand in glove with each other. The traditional political parties have been fielding liquor traders as their candidates in elections.
The Lok Satta leaders demanded that Left parties, which call for curbs on liquor consumption, should explain how they could accept donations from liquor syndicates which have been fleecing people by opening illegal outlets and selling liquor above the maximum retail price. Political parties which have colluded with liquor syndicates should openly apologize to the public.
The Lok Satta leaders said the Government has spawned and nurtured corruption by auctioning liquor outlets to highest bidders. The licensees in turn promoted belt shops and sold liquor over and above the maximum retail price. They demanded that the Government take over retail liquor trade, limit the number of shops and sales timings, make the ACB autonomous and bring it under the Lokayukta purview,
In reply to a question, Varma asserted that the party would expel anyone found guilty of accepting donations from the liquor lobby.
The Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam will hit the jackpot soon. The money will come through the sale of hair. The hair is collected from the pilgrims who offer it to the deity as part of their vow. The TTD sells the hair through auction. The sale of hair used to fetch th TTD a modest 2 to 3 crore in early 2000.
The figure has now shots up phenomenally. According to the latest estimate the TTD is all set to make Rs.45 crores from the sale of hair. The sale is likely to take place in June and the bids have already been invited. Even some foreign firms have evinced keen interest in the purchase of hair.
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)
2011/10/4 6:36:06 The ongoing Sakala Janula Samme, which entered its 22nd day today, has thrown boozers in a tizzy. Alcohol consumers from Telangana region are badly hit because Excise Department officials have swung into action.
In a move that is being seen as `a very harsh one,’ the officials have decided to bring the shutters down on 17 depots and 15 distilleries located Telangana, beginning from today. The stocks will hardly last two days, say excise officials.
This follows the decision of every employee, from the constable to the Joint Commissioners, hailing from the region to join the strike. Out of 27 distilleries in the state, 17 are located in Telangana. As a consequence, sales will fall to dramatic levels, hitting the State ex-chequer very badly.
Ranga Reddy, Nalgonda and Hyderabad districts have always topped in the sale of liquor. Telangana accounted for 60 per cent of earnings. Officials apprehend that the strike would further reduce revenue generation.
It is normally believed that Dasara festivities usher in an increase in sale of liquor across all counters. However, this season has seen a dramatic gap between the demand and supply.
Excise officers while fixing the annual target for 2011-12 fiscal had projected a twenty per cent increase in turnover from that of the previous year. But the Telangana agitation has added to their woes with most people in the business joining the stir either directly or indirectly.
The Andhra Pradesh Beverages Corporation managing director had said that liquor sales was around 43000 cases less than the scheduled sales due to the Telangana movement. The Excise Department’s revenue was estimated at Rs 1124 crore, which was significantly less than that of the projected figure. (INN)
EC to act tough against cash and liquor flow in by-polls
2012/5/5 9:20:35 Hyderabad, May 5 (INN): Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwarlal on Saturday assured of taking adequate measures to stop flow of liquor and cash to lure voters in the by-elections for the 18 assembly and one Parliament seats in the State.
Talking to reporters at the State Secretariat, Bhanwarlal said that the Election Commission would also ensure that all candidates stop their campaign 48-hours before the polling. He informed that nearly Rs 5 crore cash and about 30,000 litres of liquor have been seized at different places in 12 districts where elections are to be held on June 12.
Bhanwarlal said that all the liquor shops have been that their sales should not exceed the average that they had during April 24-June 12 last year.
The CEO informed that the Election Commission might take a decision with regard to the appointment of RTI Commissioners by Monday. He also said that Deputy Election Commissioner Vijay Zutshi has expressed satisfaction over the arrangements being made for the by-elections.
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)
2007/11/1 0:30:31 The airport at Puttaparthi, in Anantapur district is up for sale. The private airport belongs to the Sai Baba trust and it has now been pit up for sale. The airport and its adjoining areas put together run into over 2,000 acres of land.
Air Deccan/Kingfisher and many other corporate entities have evinced a keen interest in buying the airport and the surrounding 2,000 acres of land. Intense lobbying has also begun, with some approaching the trust through the offices of some politicians.
2011/12/22 17:28:12 Former minister T Jeevan Reddy on Thursday demanded that the State Government immediately disclose the report of Anti Corruption Bureau on the raids that it conducted across the state on liquor syndicate. He said the contents should be made public as several politicians, police officials and journalists have reportedly been named by the ACB for receiving kickbacks from the liquor syndicate.
Talking to media persons at Public Gardens in Nampally, Jeevan Reddy asked the government to maintain transparency by disclosing the details of key documents seized during the ACB raids. If the government fails to release the report early, he said it would send a wrong message among the public that government was shielding the ministers, who are allegedly involved in receiving the kickbacks.
Jeevan Reddy appealed to Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy to make concrete efforts to improve the image of the State government by taking severe action on the guilty as per the law.
Based on the population in an area, he said the government should give liquor permits. With liquor shops selling sachets at exorbitant prices violating the government fixed rates, he urged the Excise Commissioner to take all steps for the display of MRP in front of liquor shops. He also slammed the government for not making concrete efforts to check proliferation of illegal belt shops in rural areas. (INN)
2011/9/15 8:45:53 Malayalam superstar Mammootty has produced a documentary asking people to shun liquor, and said he too would do so -- on the screen.
Mammotty's 40-second film with a message - Say No to Liquor and Say No to Drugs - was unveiled Thursday by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
"I always try to avoid such scenes but at times it becomes imperative to do it because the situation demands it," Mammootty said at the event.
"From now on I will do my best to avoid such scenes which depict liquor or liquor imposed scenes," added Mammootty, the top actor of the Malayalam film industry for two decades.
Pointing to director Priyadarshan at the event, Mammootty said: "You have to ask people like him (Priyadarshan) because they ask us to do this and that. But let me tell you, I will do my best to do away with such scenes."
Chandy said people should try to rid Kerala of the tag of being India's largest liquor consumer.
"Not long ago Kerala was known for the huge strides it made in literacy and its health status. But of late it has taken a back seat and we are now known as the top liquor consuming state.
"This has to change. We hope that promotional material like this (Mammootty's documentary) will do us a world of good," the chief minister said.
According to a report, liquor sales rose to all time high of Rs.6,730.30 crore in 2010-11 from Rs.5,539.85 crore in 2009-10. (IANS)
2012/2/22 22:38:33 Once again the ACB sleuths have begun yet another round of raids on Excise department officials' houses to unearth the illegal links between them and liquor syndicates. Right now, the ACB sleuths are raiding on the houses of the camp clerk Seshagiri Rao, Constables Subba Rao, Shekar and retired CI Mallikarjuna Rao of Excise department in Guntur city, who are alleged to be heavily invested in liquor syndicates. If, the ACB is able to squeeze any important names of the ruling party MLAs or its leaders during these raids, it is going to create more problems to beleaguered Kiran Kumar Reddy Government, which is already facing problems with its Excise Minister Mopidevi Venkata Ramana topping the list of bribe-receivers.
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)
2011/8/25 9:10:10 The City Police police arrested two persons who were allegedly involved in the illegal sale of Pentwin Drug.
The police arrested the accused - Mohd. Feroz and Srihari Rakesh on Thursday and seized the Pentwin Drug 1 M.L. Drug of Natco Company of total 4,500 Amples and nine Dispo van syringes. The Pentwin Drug is used by the authorized Medical Practitioners as anesthesia dose while operating surgeries to the patients.
Police say that as per the manufacturers label, Pentwin Drug is a Schedule-H Drug and it should not be sold without doctor’s prescription. However, the accused Feroz used to purchase the drug from Suma Medical Corporation, owned by another accused Srihari Rakesh for Rs. 15/- each ample. He used to sell the same illegally to the needy and drug addicted persons on the higher rates from Rs 35 to Rs 50. The Suma Medical Corporation proprietor Srihari Rakesh used to purchase the drug from the authorized dealer for Rs. 4 per ample.
The arrests and seizure were made by Dabeerpura inspector D Prasanna Kumar under the supervision of South Zone DCP Vineeth Brijlal. The case has been handed over to the Drugs & Medical Control Board for further investigation.
The City Police has appealed to the parents should to take care of their children, who are addicted to drugs. They have also requested the general public to inform to the police if they find any supply or sale of illegal drugs. (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).
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)
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.
The Lok Satta Party on Tuesday demanded that the State Government straightway disclose the names of people's representatives, officials and others who have received kickbacks from liquor syndicates.
The Communist Party of India will participate in the by-elections likely to be held in 24 assembly constituencies in the State.
The ongoing Sakala Janula Samme, which entered its 22nd day today, has thrown boozers in a tizzy. Alcohol consumers from Telangana region are badly hit because Excise Department officials have swung into action.
Former minister T Jeevan Reddy on Thursday demanded that the State Government immediately disclose the report of Anti Corruption Bureau on the raids that it conducted across the state on liquor syndicate. He said the contents should be made public as several politicians, police officials and journalists have reportedly been named by the ACB for receiving kickbacks from the liquor syndicate.
Malayalam superstar Mammootty has produced a documentary asking people to shun liquor, and said he too would do so -- on the screen.
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.
