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)
2011/12/19 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)
2011/12/20 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)
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.
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)
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)
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)
2012/2/27 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.
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)
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)
2011/12/19 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.
2012/2/24 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.
Place ACB report on liquor scam in the House, demands TDP
2012/2/27 3:05:15 Hyderabad, Feb 27 (INN): Telugu Desam MLA P Raghunath Reddy on Monday criticized the government for not tabling the ACB report on liquor syndicate before the House for discussion.
Talking to media persons at Assembly media point, he came down heavily on the government for avoiding discussion on liquor scam. "Instead of taking up discussion and disclosing the names of those who involved in the scam, the government was resorting to frequent adjournment of House," he alleged.
Raghunath Reddy said if the government was really committed to end corruption, the state government should order judicial probe with a sitting High Court judge into the liquor syndicate and take serious disciplinary action against those found guilty.
TDP leader and Vijayawada MLA Devineni Umamaheswar Rao said that Kiran Government was biased and prejudiced in dealing with the liquor syndicate scam. He said that the Government has been arresting police and excise officials based on the statement of a criminal. But they were questioning the credibility of an accused Nunna Ramana when it came to the arrest of politicians including Excise minister Mopidevi Vankata Ramana Rao.
He said that the fear of political crisis and the fall of Kiran Kumar Reddy Government were forcing the Congress high Command to go slow in the liquor scam.
TDP whip Dhulipala Narendra criticized Deputy Speaker Bhatti Vikramarka for frequently adjourning the House without giving a chance to members for speaking on important public issues.
2012/5/11 7:07:59 Hyderabad, May 11 (INN): Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Friday ordered an inquiry into the death of four persons due to consumption of illicit liquor at Brahmanaveedhi in Vijayawada.
Directing the Krishna District Collector and Excise Superintendent to probe into the incident and submit a comprehensive report, Kiran Kumar Reddy expressed serious concern over the incidents. He also directed the District Collector to take steps to provide required medical treatment to other victims who are admitted in the hospital.
Asking the officials to take stern action against those responsible for the incident, the Chief Minister directed them to ensure that such incident do not recur.
According to reports, four persons - Kona Yesu, K Durga Rao, Tadepalle Koteswara Rao and E V Subrahmanyam, died after consumption of illicit liquor at Brahmanaveedhi in the old city of Vijayawada and two others - Prakash Rao and Nagaraj were affected and undergoing treatment at the hospital.
The police have already seized the liquor bottles from the location and sent them for laboratory examination.
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)
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)
2012/2/3 11:56:03 Bharatiya Janata Party state president G Kishan reddy on Friday stated that BJP would contest alone in the 2014 elections.
Addressing media persons during his Telangana Poru Yatra, Kishan Reddy said that the party would not tie up with other parties for the 2014 elections. However, he said that the party was yet to take a decision on contesting the possible by-elections in the State. He said the decision would be taken only after the Election Commission issues notification.
The BJP leader also demanded CBI probe into the liquor syndicate in the State while alleging that the syndicate was having nexus with several politicians. He said only a CBI probe would expose the links between the politicians and liquor syndicate. He demanded that Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy disclose the list of people who have been named in the liquor scam.
Kishan Reddy also announced that the BJP would intensify the agitation for Telangana with all like-minded parties under the leadership of Telangana Political Joint Action Committee. (INN)
ACB submits interim report on liquor syndicate to HC
2012/4/16 3:14:53 Hyderabad, April 16 (INN): Lauding the Anti Corruption Bureau for promptly submitting its interim report on the liquor syndicates in the state, the Andhra Pradesh High Court on Monday sought an explanation from the State Government over the transfer of ACB Additional Director K Srinivasa Reddy, who was heading the Special Investigation Team.
Accepting the interim report on liquor syndicates submitted by the ACB in a sealed cover, the court found fault with the government's decision to transfer Srinivasa Reddy in a haphazard manner and directed the government to explain its position over the transfer by April 27.
Asking the government to reconsider its decision over the transfer of K Srinivasa Reddy, the court directed the government not to transfer any official involved in the probe without taking its prior permission.
The court also directed the ACB to probe into the large number of liquor shops opened in the name of benamis in Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts and submit a comprehensive report on it. The court also suggested that the ACB sleuths take the assistance of Income Tax department in cracking the cases of white card ration card holders getting liquor licenses for opening shops.
The court said that the ACB could approach anytime the court and seek its guidance in connection with the case. The court directed the ACB to come out with all details. Further hearing on the case has been adjourned to June 11.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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 will participate in the by-elections likely to be held in 24 assembly constituencies in the State.
Malayalam superstar Mammootty has produced a documentary asking people to shun liquor, and said he too would do so -- on the screen.
Bharatiya Janata Party state president G Kishan reddy on Friday stated that BJP would contest alone in the 2014 elections.
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.
