*GO No. 363 threatens Visakhapatnam's cultural heritage, YSRCP demands immediate rollback*

Visakhapatnam, June 18: YSRCP Visakhapatnam District President KK Raju said the coalition government's GO No. 363 threatens Visakhapatnam's cultural heritage and ecological balance by permitting beach shacks serving liquor along the coastline. He demanded the immediate withdrawal of the GO, stating that the government is transforming Andhra Pradesh into a "liquor-driven state" under the guise of tourism development. He said permitting liquor outlets across the state's 12 coastal districts, including near the sacred Shiva temple and the revered Three Wells site at Rushikonda, destroys Visakhapatnam's identity as a family tourism and eco-tourism destination. He also criticised statements supporting drinking on beaches, saying they undermine the city's traditions and responsible tourism culture.

KK Raju said that while the YSRCP government implemented transformative "Nadu-Nedu" reforms in education and healthcare, the present government is promoting a "Drink and Stagger" model by expanding liquor sales through belt shops and beach shacks. He said farmers continue to suffer while liquor, sand, cannabis and other illegal trades are being turned into revenue sources. Referring to the custodial death of Gade Saikrishna in Vijayawada, he said the incident reflects the collapse of law and order under the coalition government and questioned the handling of the case, stating that the government must answer for the death and subsequent cremation without handing over the body to the family. He said governance in the state is being driven by a "Red Book Constitution" instead of constitutional values and demanded accountability for what he described as a complete breakdown of democratic administration.