TDP's state wide protest against liquor mafia on Dec 26
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)
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TDP's state wide protest against liquor mafia on Dec 26
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)
2011/12/19 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 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)
2011/12/21 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)
2012/1/29 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)
2011/12/20 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)
2012/4/21 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.
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)
Botsa asks Naidu to apologise for remaks on Vizianagaram people
2012/4/22 3:11:27 Hyderabad, April 22 (INN): Pradesh Congress President Botsa Satyanarayana on Sunday demanded that TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu should apologise to the people of Vizianagaram district for reportedly comparing them with Pakistanis.
Talking to reporters at his residence at Minister's Quarters here, Botsa said that the Naidu has been making objectionable remarks against the Congress leaders and people of Vizianagaram district after he was denied permission by the police to hold dharna against liquor syndicate. He said that Naidu should apologise for his remarks and avoid making such statements.
Botsa denied Naidu's allegations that the Congress party was trying to stop the Telugu Desam Party from holding protest in Vizianagaram district against the liquor mafia. He claimed that the Congress party has applied for permission April 14 to hold protests from April 21 to 23rd against the involvement of TDP leaders in the liquor syndicate. He said that the TDP leaders approached the local police on April 15 seeking permission to hold protest on the same dates. He said the TDP leaders deliberately tried to sabotage Congress protest by applying for the same dates.
The PCC president said that Vizianagaram has been the most peaceful district in the State and the TDP was trying to disturb the law and order situation in the district. He said why Naidu was so particular about holding protest in Vizianagaram by skipping his home district of Chittoor.
Botsa alleged that Naidu was the most corrupt politician in the State and the same has been endorsed by his father-in-law and TDP founder N T Rama Rao. He asked Naidu to 'behave' like the president of a political party and stop making objectionable statements against the ruling party.
Regarding the by-elections to be held in 18 Assembly seat, Botsa said that except for three to four seats, the aspirants have been finalised for the remaining constituencies. He said that the list of Congress candidates would be announced soon after getting approval from the High Command.
The TRS leaders and other T-JAC leaders along with their entourage are now camping in Delhi. They sat on a two-hour silent protest at Rajghat wearing Gandhi topis. They managed to get some coverage in the national media with their drama.
In the evening some of the same 'Gandhians' celebrated the success of the silent protest with chicken and liquor!
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)
TDP accuses Mopidevi of stalling Hologram to track liquor sales
2012/4/25 3:25:09 Hyderabad, April 25 (INN): Telugu Desam Party deputy floor leader Gali Muddu Krishanamma Naidu on Wednesday alleged that the State Government has deliberately stalled the introduction of Hologram to track liquor manufacturing and sales in the State.
Talking to reporters at the Telugu Desam Legislature Party office, Muddu Krishanamma Naidu said that the concept of Hologram with Track and Trace system could have prevented the formation of liquor syndicates in the State. He said the system could have helped in tracking the liquor bottle from the time of manufacturing till the last point of sale by the consumer at the Retail Liquor outlet. However, he alleged that Prohibition and Excise Minister Mopidevi Venkataramana deliberately stalled the process.
The TDP leader alleged that one company - Holostik India Pvt Ltd and retail liquor syndicate were trying to find means and ways to cancel the tender due to their vested interest. He said a total of eight bidders participated in the tender process for Hologram and three were even shortlisted by a high-level committee consisting of officials of different departments.
Muddu Krishanamma Naidu claimed that during the process of scrutinising the other bidders in fray the department has stumbled upon one of the bidders - Holistick India Pvt Ltd and OTIC, who were allegedly having direct link with liquor mafia. After subsequent meetings, the consortium was disqualified due to the conflict of interest.
He alleged that the Excise Minister then directed the Excise Department to qualify the disqualified company ignoring the conflict of interest. A furore was created in the assembly regarding the minister's stand to support the disqualified company having direct links with the liquor mafia.
Muddu Krishanamma Naidu said that the High Court too has favoured the tender process and rejected the plea of disqualified bidders. However, he alleged that the minister was planning to cancel the HPFS tender under the influence of liquor mafia. By cancellation of this tender process, the government could not invite the tender for such requirement for another six months as per vigilance guidelines. Even if the tender is invited after six months, the selection process will take another four to six months.
The TDP leader alleged that the Excise Minister was trying to delay the introduction of Hologram by about three years so as to allow the liquor syndicates to operate without any check. He demanded that Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy intervene on the issue. He said that the government should order a probe into the tender process and open the financial bid at the earliest.
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)
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)
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)
2012/4/23 9:38:09 Hyderabad, April 23 (INN): The City Police on Monday took Telugu Desam Party MLC N Rajakumari into custody for causing obstruction to the traffic before the State Legislative Assembly.
Rajkumari was prevented by the police when she tried to stage dharna in front of Mahatma Gandhi's statue in the Legislative Assembly premises in protest against denial of permission to TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu to hold protest in Vizianagaram. Assembly Secretary S Raja Sadaram also denied her permission to stage protest in the assembly premises.
In protest against denial of permission, Rajkumari squatted on the main road before the Legislative Assembly raising slogans against the State Government. She told reporters that denying permission to Chandrababu Naidu to hold protest in Vizianagaram district was against the democracy.
The TDP MLC demanded that Transport Minister Botsa Satyanaryana and Excise Minister Mopidevi Venkataramana resign from the State Cabinet for their alleged involvement in the liquor syndicate. She said if the duo fails to resign, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy should drop them from the cabinet. Else, Governor ESL Narasimhan should intervene and take action against them, she demanded.
Rajkumari continued her dharna for about three hours which consequently led to her arrest by the City Police. She was later shifted to the Saifabad Police Station.
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)
2012/2/7 23:13:12 In a sensational disclosure, Anti-Corruption Bureau officials have stated before the court of the special judge for ACB cases at Hyderabad that excise minister Mopidevi Venkataramana Rao had received `10 lakh from liquor syndicate leader Nunna Venkataramana as “protection money”.
A resident of Khammam, Mr Venkataramana, 44, has stakes in 29 wine shops and is involved with 10 liquor syndicates besides having influence over 80 wine shops in Khammam and Warangal districts.
In their remand report, seeking the custody of Mr Venkataramana on February 3, officials of the ACB Warangal Range (which includes Warangal and Khammam) had stated that the licence to run these liquor shops was obtained in July 2010 for the period between July 2010 and June 2012.
According to the statement recorded by the ACB Warangal, Mr Venkataramana had told officials that he had paid `10 lakh to excise minister Venkataramana Rao at the ministers’ quarters at Banjara Hills in the presence of one Mr Babji, owner of Chandra Wines, Khammam, and Mr Rajababu alias Raja, who is said to be a classmate of the minister.
The state excise department plans to enforce a new rule wherein those below 21 years of age will not be allowed to buy liquor or consume the same in pubic places like pubs bars and restaurants.
At present this e below 18 years of age are barred from buying liquor. But the rule is never enforced and one can see several youngsters who are just 14 or 15 years buying and consuming liquor.
This time however the excise department is firm that it will enforce the new rule. The consumption of liquor by youngsters is seen towns and cities. Students staying in hostels and private accommodation are most likely to consume liquor in the absence of adult supervision.
The excise department plans to impose a fine of Rs. 1,000 on those found violating the rule. If the rule is violated a second time then they could face imprisonment.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
