CM not prepared to lose liquor Revenue: Lok Satta

The Lok Satta Party today charged that Chief Minister K. Rosaiah is not prepared to restrict liquor consumption and forgo revenue.

A Lok Satta Party delegation, which called on the Chief Minister on June 1 wanted him to halt liquor auctions scheduled for June 7 as they contributed to the proliferation of illegal liquor outlets known as belt shops. The delegation told the Chief Minister that the Government itself was breaking the law by ignroing the 150,000 illegal liquor outlets in the State.

Disclosing this at a media meet, party leaders Katari Srinivasa Rao, Narra Sridhar and N. Sarojadevi said that far from acting against belt shops, the Government appeared bent on legalizing them.

The party leaders demanded that the Government convene an all-party meeting to consider alternative means of revenue in case it agreed to curb liquor consumption. The Government of India is ready to consider assistance to States limiting liquor consumption.

The Lok Satta Party would conduct an agitation from June 4 against the liquor policy and organize a sit-in against liquor auctions on June 7.