The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Volunteers force closure of liquor shops

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 22, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Volunteers force closure of liquor shops

Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao

86 belt shops exist in the mandal
Traders agree to pay fine of Rs. 5,000

ZAFFARGAD (WARANGAL): Silently and away from the media glare, the Lok Satta volunteers joined hands with the local women and ensuring closure of liquor belt shops in the villages here.

On Tuesday, a group of volunteers and Lok Satta leader Parcha Kondarama Rao were led by village women to the residences of those running the belt shops in Garimellapalli. The women encouraged by the Lok Satta leader and cadre, asked the belt shop owners to close down.

Having got a lesson from Mr. Kondarama Rao on how the liquor was affecting the families and how youth were dying at young age leaving behind widows and children, the owners not only agreed to close down the shops but gave an undertaking too. A 20 member vigilante group involving men and women were constituted then and there to ensure closure. The traders also agreed to pay a fine of Rs. 5,000 if they opened their shop again.

Later addressing the gathering in the village, Mr. Kondarama Rao explained how the State excise revenue increased from Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 8,000 over the past three years with the Government adopting dubious policies. According to a survey conducted by the party workers, there were 86 belt shops in the mandal. The Lok Satta leader vowed that they would ensure that all the belt shops would be closed .

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