Wine shops allotted violating PESA Act

Kothagudem: While the adoption of resolution by Gram Sabha is still pending, District Collector Rajiv Gandhi Hanumanthu on Monday at Kothagudem Club picked a draw of lots for allotting wine shops in the Agency areas of Bhadradri-Kothagudem district.

However, the Excise and Prohibition Department Superintendent C Narasimha Reddy clarified that the actual allotment of wine shops would take place after Gram Sabhas adopting the resolutions as required by the Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act.

Of the 78 wine shops in the district, the officials gave green signal to 39 shops including six in Manuguru Municipality (which is in Agency area), two shops in Sujatha Nagar Mandal (for which Grama Sabhas adopted resolutions) and for one liquor shop in Regalla. Draw of lots have been taken for the remaining 39 shops that were bound by PESA Act.

Gondwana Samkshema Parishad (GSP) State president Sonde Veeraiah questioned as to how the wine shops could be allotted without Gram Sabhas adopting resolutions. He criticised the officials for violating the High Court’s verdict and said he would approach the court for justice.