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AP politicos, kin eye booze industry
After grabbing retail liquor trade, politicos in Andhra Pradesh are now eying the ‘lucrative’ spirits manufacturing business. With the government opening doors inviting investments in setting up distilleries, the leaders irrespective of their party affiliation were making beeline to the State Excise and Prohibition department seeking permission to establish the liquor production units in Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions.
Hyderabad: After grabbing retail liquor trade, politicos in Andhra Pradesh are now eying the ‘lucrative’ spirits manufacturing business. With the government opening doors inviting investments in setting up distilleries, the leaders irrespective of their party affiliation were making beeline to the State Excise and Prohibition department seeking permission to establish the liquor production units in Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions.
- State faces shortage of 45 lakh litres of liquor every year
- Govt invites applications from investors to set up distilleries
- Relatives of political leaders make beeline to Excise dept
State government recently took a policy decision to increase the volume of liquor production (particularly whisky and brandy) in view of swelling alcohol demand in the State. It was estimated that State was facing approximately 45 lakh litres of liquor shortage after the bifurcation. Stoppage of supply from Telangana distilleries and the increased liquor consumption were found to be the main reasons for the shortage.
The officials told The Hans India that the department was flooded with applications for the grant of permission to set up the units from the enthusiastic investors in the last one month. The family members of influential political leaders were among the most of the applicants. It is learnt that Congress senior leader and former MP G V Harsha Kumar’s son, TDP MP from Narasaraopet Rayapati Sambasiva Rao’s close relatives, Anantapur TDP MP JC Diwakar Reddy’s relatives and Vijaywada MP Kesineni Nani's close aides met the Excise top officials and got the applications required to take a plunge into liquor manufacturing.
YSR Congress MP from Nandyal S P Y Reddy (who recently switched loyalties to TDP) was already lobbying strongly to clear the file pending before the government to begin liquor production. He set up a distillery unit at Nandyal in the name of SPY Agro Industries. But, the company is yet to start operations due to non payment of licence fee in the last four years.
The officials said tremendous response was seen from the investors in the last two months. The department had already received more than 50 applications. At present 14 distilleries were functioning in AP. Most of them were located in Chittoor and Krishna district. The government was planning to encourage the investors who come forward to set up the new units in North Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema districts.
By: Patan Afzal Babu
