Hyderabad:
After orders from the chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and stern warnings from excise officials against selling liquor above maximum retail price, liquor merchants reacted in their own style.
Posing a challenge for the government, many liquor merchants have closed down their shops across the state expressing their helplessness in selling liquor at Maximum Retail Price.
According to information, excise officials have been conducting counselling meetings with liquor merchants across the state at respective district headquarters over the past one week asking liquor shop owners not to sell liquor above Maximum Retail Price, failing which severe action will be initiated.
As per the directions, excise officials on Monday conducted raids in the districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam, Nellore, Kadapa, Chittoor, Anantapur, Karimnagar, Warangal, Ranga Reddy, Nalgonda and Kurnool.
Though a few liquor merchants have acted as per the government's directions, a majority of them have decided to shut down their shops after receiving information about the raids to mark their protest.
On condition of anonymity, a liquor merchant from Guntur said they would incur losses without selling liquor above Maximum Retail Price, as they obtained trade licences by shelling out hefty amounts.
However, officials have remained stern stating the excise department is for 100 per cent implementation of sale of liquor at Maximum Retail Price and will consider any violation of these orders very seriously.
Speaking to reporters in Vijayawada on Monday, Excise and Prohibition Minister MV Ramana warned the government would initiate stringent action including cancellation of licences in case liquor is sold at higher rates.
He said the government will not tolerate any violation of norms. Meanwhile, Communist Party of India, state secretary K Narayana and a few other activists raided a shop in Dachepally of Guntur and damaged the liquor stock after discovering the shop owner was selling liquor for higher price and also running an illegal bar behind the shop.
Posing a challenge for the government, many liquor merchants have closed down their shops across the state expressing their helplessness in selling liquor at Maximum Retail Price.
According to information, excise officials have been conducting counselling meetings with liquor merchants across the state at respective district headquarters over the past one week asking liquor shop owners not to sell liquor above Maximum Retail Price, failing which severe action will be initiated.
As per the directions, excise officials on Monday conducted raids in the districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam, Nellore, Kadapa, Chittoor, Anantapur, Karimnagar, Warangal, Ranga Reddy, Nalgonda and Kurnool.
Though a few liquor merchants have acted as per the government's directions, a majority of them have decided to shut down their shops after receiving information about the raids to mark their protest.
On condition of anonymity, a liquor merchant from Guntur said they would incur losses without selling liquor above Maximum Retail Price, as they obtained trade licences by shelling out hefty amounts.
However, officials have remained stern stating the excise department is for 100 per cent implementation of sale of liquor at Maximum Retail Price and will consider any violation of these orders very seriously.
Speaking to reporters in Vijayawada on Monday, Excise and Prohibition Minister MV Ramana warned the government would initiate stringent action including cancellation of licences in case liquor is sold at higher rates.
He said the government will not tolerate any violation of norms. Meanwhile, Communist Party of India, state secretary K Narayana and a few other activists raided a shop in Dachepally of Guntur and damaged the liquor stock after discovering the shop owner was selling liquor for higher price and also running an illegal bar behind the shop.
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