We will ban Liquor: YS Jagan

Vijayawada: Leader of Opposition and the YSRCP President Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy  announced that his party will impose total prohibition on liquor in the state after coming into power in the next elections. He visited the families of those killed and people who fell seriously ill after consuming liquor at  Vijayawada on Monday. He demanded Rs20 lakh exgratia to each family that lost its head. He also demanded that the chief minister Chandrababu Naidu must apologize to the people for the liquor disaster.

Speaking to media after consoling the families of the victims, Jagan Mohan said the chief minister is running the state like his own business house and making money out of each and every activity. The government is encouraging liquor sales like a private agency, setting higher targets month after month with an eye on the revenue. The government has made Rs7,050 crore from liquor sales in seven months this year whereas it was Rs6,632 crore in 2014. It is going to cross Rs12,000 averaging Rs1,000 only from liquor sales, he said. This was possible only with the active support from the chief minister who is even encouraging the operation of belt shops in districts.

Citing the example of Gujarat where liquor is prohibited and it still occupies top position in development in the country, Jagan said the state can run even without the sale of alcohol. He also hailed Nitish Kumar for his proposed prohibition from next April. "We are now giving an opportunity to Chandrababu to ban liquor. Or else we will certainly ban it when we occupy the government in the next elections," he said adding that his party will fight for prohibition in the state Assembly.

However, He offered an exemption to five-star hotels where only rich people drink and they won't be affected by cheap liquor. With the unrestricted sale of liquor all over the streets, even school students are getting distracted, he said.