CPI, TDP dharnas against Govt's new Excise policy

Karimnagar: The activists of CPI and TDP took out rallies and staged dharnas at Excise office in the town on Monday opposing the government's new policy allowing sitting rooms at liquor shops. The agitations were held separately. CPI Legislature Party leader Chada Venkat Reddy, addressing the agitators, said Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, a couple of months ago, had promised that belt shops would be removed. However, contrary to his promise, he allowed the liquor shops to have sitting rooms. This would encourage workers and youth to become addicts to alcohol. Chief Minister has been trying to get more income by increasing the liquor sales in the state, he said. ``The Congress leaders have been encouraging illegal liquor sales. They are also encouraging illegal manufacture of liquor in rural areas,'' the CPI leader alleged. The government itself can sell liquor by opening shops as in the case of Tamil Nadu, Mr Venkat Reddy suggested. Police shifted the agitating CPI activists in police vehicles. CPI district secretary Marri Venkata Swamy, women leaders Madisetti Bhagyalakshmi, Kinnera Mallamma and others were present. The TDP leaders also demanded scrapping of the new Excise policy adopted by the government. They demanded immediate ban on belt shops and also demanded not to allow sitting rooms at liquor shops. Leaders K Agaiah and others participated in the agitation.