Relocate liquor shops if people oppose them: AIDWA

All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) on Tuesday demanded that the government relocate liquor shops, which were being opposed by more than 50% people of the area.

Addressing a media conference here, AIDWA State general secretary D. Ramadevi said the East Godavari District Collector should take action against those officials who imposed Section 144 prohibiting demonstrations in front of wine shops. Ms. Ramadevi said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had directed the excise officials to close those liquor shops relocated in residential areas where local people were opposing them. But, officials were allowing them to continue and giving no objection certificates to vendors, she alleged. She said it was shameful the government relaxed norms for renewal of liquor shop licenses for five years instead of regular two years. She said the AIDWA took up fight against belt shops last July and was successful in closing most of them in the State.

She said in Bhaskarram Nagar and Pottilanka in Kadiyam mandal of East Godavari district, the police imposed Section 144 and helped the excise officials and vendors to sell liquor uninterruptedly. Ms. Ramadevi sought action against those officials responsible for it.

‘No de-addiction centres’

Answering a query, she said it was wrong to seek extension of closure time for hotels. She said the State was selling liquor in tetra packs through the farmers’ cooperative societies and she saw one such society in Kadapa . She said there were no de-addiction centres in government hospitals. “Governments can run without excise revenue as it was proved during the time of N.T. Ramarao for two years. But, we are not demanding complete prohibition as in the case of Gujarat and Bihar. We want only restrictions on opening of liquor shops near educational institutions, places of worship and other places where people are inconvenienced,” she said.

AIDWA district secretary P. Tualsi and vice-president Sravanti were among those present.

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