YSRCP pooh-poohs Naidu promises on belt shops

Pooh-poohing the promise of N Chandrababu Naidu on illegal arrack (belt) shops, YSR Congress has said that the TDP leader has been trying to play to the gallery unmindful of the fact that there is no need for the government to ban them as the activity itself is illegal.

“Being out of power for nine years, Naidu must have lost touch with governance as the question of imposing ban of belt shops does not arise as it is an illegal activity. Naidu should also remember that it was during his term as chief minister that these shops flourished,” Party Deputy Floor leader Bhuma Sobha Nagi Reddy told reporters here on Wednesday.

The TDP leader’s doublespeak has again come to the fore with his assurances at a Seminar on anti- arrack that he will include ban of belt shops in the Party manifesto. A section of media which is considered to be TDP mouth piece has written that there were over 40,000 belt shops in the state in 2003 while Naidu was Chief Minister.

“It was Chandrababu Naidu who lifted the prohibition imposed by NTR and encouraged belt shops and retail sale of arrack. Now he sings a different tune as he is in Opposition and for a person who was in public life for over 30 years blatantly telling that ban on belt shops will be the second file he will be signing after coming to power shows his shallowness,” she said.

Asserting that YSR Congress did not attend the Seminar as it did not want to share the dais with people who have connections with liquor lobby or those who want to eke out political mileage out of the social movements, she said , “our party is committed for cutting down the liquor shops.”

It is a shame on part of the State Government for encouraging liquor sales by fixing targets and the liquor syndicate is in full play. There are over three lakh belt shops in the state which accounts for one shop for every 70 families.

“YSRCP in its Plenary has made its stand clear that it will discourage the present liquor policy,” she said.

When asked about TDP leader Y Ramakrishnudu’s remarks on the lifestyle in jails, she said, “the concerned officials have clarified that no special treatment is being given to anyone in the jail and the manual is being strictly followed.

The TDP leader only wants to politicise the issue and has been harping on it time and again though there is no essence in his charges,” she said adding that such charges are made as they are unable to bear the growing popularity of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.