 Online edition of India's National Newspaper Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version |
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Andhra Pradesh
No closing shops as it will have legal implications: CEO EC may consider rationing of liquor during elections HYDERABAD: A piquant situation arose on Wednesday when the Excise Department as well as the AP Beverages Corporation, the sole wholesale liquor supplier to dealers in the State, expressed reluctance to accept the proposals of liquor dealers to curb sale during the elections. The AP State Wine Dealers’ Association had made two proposals to Chief Electoral Officer I. V. Subba Rao on Tuesday following the charges that political parties were purchasing liquor in advance for distribution to the voters later. Several parties have also been saying that the free flow of liquor would undermine the fairness of the elections. A delegation of the association led by its president R. Subba Rao and general secretary D. Venkateswara Rao, proposed to the CEO closure of all liquor shops during the election period provided the government refunded the licence for the period. If this was not acceptable, the AP Beverages Corporation could ration liquor to the licensed shops. They were emphatic that, as citizens, they were equally keen on contributing to fair elections, free from the influence of liquor. When contacted, the CEO ruled out the possibility of closing the shops as it would have legal implications but said the Election Commission would consider rationing liquor. He might call for a meeting of excise officials and wine dealers to discuss the issue. Rs. 335 croreA senior excise official said, “We get nearly Rs. 335 crore every month as excise duty on liquor sold through the 6,594 retail outlets and 1,362 bars and restaurants in the State. The revenue swells during summer. We can’t afford to lose.” The AP Beverages Corporation dispenses 26 lakh cases of liquor a month and 20 lakh cases of beer. If one is to go by claims made by the election officials, belt shops in the State have almost been closed. Under an action plan, the enforcement wing in the Excise Department has been activated, control rooms opened at each district headquarter to attend to complaints about manufacture of illicit liquor and adulterated toddy. Flying squads have been posted at border check-posts to check inflow of liquor from neighbouring States.
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