20 women bag liquor licences in Khammam
Khammam: Mild tension prevailed in the district as various women’s organisations staged protests demanding the State government to take measures to curb the sale of liquor in the State. National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) leader P Kalavathi, Progressive Organisation of Women (POW) B Sarala and All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) leader Lalitha and other activists staged a protest at a private function hall where the draw of lots was taken up.
When they tried to enter the hall, police took them into custody and shifted them to the local police station. District Collector VP Gautham along with Deputy Commissioner A Anjan Rao and District Prohibition and Excise Officer V Somi Reddy took part in the draw of lots in which the majority of applicants, who bagged liquor licences, were women. Of the 122 shops, a total of 20 shops were allotted to women in Khammam, said Somi Reddy.
Speaking to the media, leaders of the women’s organisations demanded the State government to take immediate measures to curb the sale of liquor in the State. “Women’s organisations have been staging protests since October 2. We demand the government not to consider liquor trade as the source of income but to impose certain curbs on it,” said Kalavathi.
“In the last 7 years, wine shops have increased five-fold and 220 new shops were additionally permitted now. The government must think about the welfare of the youngsters, who are getting addicted to alcohol,” she further said. Meanwhile, the Excise Department officials informed that of the 88 shops in Kothagudem district, 13 women bagged liquor shop licences.
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