Check liquor intake: Lok Satta

Lok Satta president Dr Jayaprakash Narayan on Saturday urged Chief Minister K Rosaiah to review the liquor policy if his Government is really committed to the welfare of the poor in the state.

 Inaugurating a photo exhibition on the 16-day campaign launched by the Lok Satta, under the aegis of Mahila Satta and Yuva Satta in 16 districts, he demanded that the Government restrict liquor consumption through a series of measures.

 The state government was spending about Rs 15,000 crore a year on welfare schemes--supply of essential commodities at subsidized rates, free power to farmers, fee reimbursement, Arogyasri, housing and employment guarantee scheme.

 However, the poor were losing money to the tune of Rs 25,000 crore on consumption of liquor, arrack and gudumba at the cost of their lives, he pointed out.

He said the state had earned the dubious distinction in liquor sales in the country. The Lok Satta leader rubbished the claims of the state government that the government was earning maximum revenue through liquor sales.

 The government can increase its revenue resources by curbing corruption and abandoning ill-conceived programmes. He said the Lok Satta would intensify its campaign against liquor in the state and create awareness on the issue.