Press Releases Archive

AP Government reneging on Liquor policy: Loksatta

The Andhra Pradesh unit of the Loksatta Party today charged the Telugu Desam Government with going back on its word to overhaul the liquor policy keeping the interests of the poor in mind.

The party’s AP Convener, Mr. D. V. V. S. Varma, recalled in a media statement that the Government had promised to study the liquor policy prevalent in States like Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Delhi and usher in a new policy. Instead, it has chosen to stick to the old lottery system for allocation of liquor shops.

Mr. Varma said that the Government could have continued the old policy for three or six months if it felt it had no time to bring about changes. The Government should strive to restrict liquor consumption, instead of viewing it as a source of revenue.

The Loksatta leader described the Government’s promise to abolish belt shops or illegal liquor vends as a mere eyewash. Past experience has eloquently demonstrated that belt shops are bound to proliferate so long as the liquor business is in private hands.

Mr. Varma demanded that the Government take over the liquor business and run a limited number of shops with restricted timings. Panchayats, municipalities and women’s groups should be empowered to removet belt shops and clamp down on illicit liquor. The Government should open de-addiction centres and launch a campaign against the liquor menace.

Mr. Varma said that continuation of the old liquor policy would ruin more and more families in the State. It is ridiculous that a Government which facilitates free flow of liquor claims to launch schemes for people’s welfare, he added.

Monday, June 23, 2014 - 18:07

Form a committee of officials to address Inter-State disputes: Loksatta

The Loksatta Party today suggested that the newly formed Governments in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh constitute a joint committee of officials to resolve routine administrative issue before they erupt into major controversies. 

In a media statement, Loksatta Party Telangana State Convener Bandaru Ramamohan Rao pointed out that adoption of a confrontationist posture by the two Chief Ministers on administrative issues like scrapping of power purchase agreements by the Andhra Pradesh Government and release of 10 tmc ft of water for the Krishna delta by the Telangana Government are undesirable. 

Since such issues are bound to arise in future too in the wake of bifurcation of the united Andhra Pradesh, formation of an officials’ committee to address them is essential. They can be resolved at the lower level without the Chief Ministers being dragged into the picture.

Mr. Ramamohan Rao recalled that people have elected the TRS in Telangna and the TDP-BJP combine in Andhra Pradesh to power with great expectations. They should focus on governance instead of frittering away their time and energies on avoidable controversies. They should initiate measures on a war footing to provide good governance, create employment opportunities for youth and strive for development of all regions. The two States should fight together for greater allocation of funds by the Center for their development. If, instead, they sling mud at each other and look up to the Center to resolve their disputes, they will lose their clout. 

Mr. Ramamohan Rao said that the two Governments should cooperate with each other for development of Telugu people by exploiting all the opportunities open to them. Otherwise, other States will gain at the expense of the two warring States. 

Thursday, June 19, 2014 - 19:15

Form a committee of officials to address Inter-State disputes: Loksatta

The Loksatta Party today suggested that the newly formed Governments in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh constitute a joint committee of officials to resolve routine administrative issue before they erupt into major controversies.

In a media statement, Loksatta Party Telangana State Convener Bandaru Ramamohan Rao pointed out that adoption of a confrontationist posture by the two Chief Ministers on administrative issues like scrapping of power purchase agreements by the Andhra Pradesh Government and release of 10 tmc ft of water for the Krishna delta by the Telangana Government are undesirable.

Since such issues are bound to arise in future too in the wake of bifurcation of the united Andhra Pradesh, formation of an officials’ committee to address them is essential. They can be resolved at the lower level without the Chief Ministers being dragged into the picture.

Mr. Ramamohan Rao recalled that people have elected the TRS in Telangna and the TDP-BJP combine in Andhra Pradesh to power with great expectations. They should focus on governance instead of frittering away their time and energies on avoidable controversies. They should initiate measures on a war footing to provide good governance, create employment opportunities for youth and strive for development of all regions. The two States should fight together for greater allocation of funds by the Center for their development. If, instead, they sling mud at each other and look up to the Center to resolve their disputes, they will lose their clout.

Mr. Ramamohan Rao said that the two Governments should cooperate with each other for development of Telugu people by exploiting all the opportunities open to them. Otherwise, other States will gain at the expense of the two warring States.

Thursday, June 19, 2014 - 18:14

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