VIJAYAWADA:Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has announced that the Crime Investigation Department (CID) will investigate alleged irregularities in the Excise Department during the previous YSRC administration. Naidu has directed officials to seize all records related to department transactions from the past five years and ensure full cooperation with the CID.
Naidu emphasized the need to eliminate sub-standard liquor, highlighting the importance of safeguarding public health. He stressed that while it's unrealistic to expect consumers to abandon alcohol entirely, the state should at least address the issue of low-quality liquor that poses significant health risks.
Criticizing the previous YSRC government for increasing liquor prices and thereby exploiting the poor, Naidu pointed out that many individuals resorted to harmful alternatives like ganja and spurious liquor due to the high costs. He called for measures to control liquor prices to prevent further harm to poor families.
Naidu also instructed officials to review liquor policies from other states, including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, to formulate a new policy for Andhra Pradesh. The officials are expected to report their findings by August 12, focusing on liquor sales, pricing, quality, and digital payment systems.
In a separate update, during the 36th CRDA meeting, Naidu reviewed key issues and affirmed that the CRDA will cover 8,352 square kilometers as per GO No. 207 issued in 2015. MAUD Minister P. Narayana also announced an extension of annuities and pensions for farmers who contributed their land for the development of Amaravati Capital City for an additional five years.