Bring arrack shops back in Telangana, demands Congress MLA Anirudh Reddy

Jadcherla Congress MLA Anirudh Reddy sparked controversy by demanding the reopening of arrack outlets in Telangana, claiming arrack consumption was not harmful to health. He said he would raise the issue during the upcoming budget session of the Assembly

Hyderabad: Congress MLA from Jadcherla, Anirudh Reddy, stirred a controversy by demanding the resumption of arrack outlets in the State.

He reportedly claimed that in the past people who consumed arrack lived for over 115 years, but due to liquor consumption their lifespan had now declined to 80 years. On that basis, he argued that arrack shops should be reopened in the State. The Jadcherla MLA is learnt to have made the remarks during an informal interaction with media persons here on Monday.

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“Scientifically, consumption of arrack is not injurious to health. Actually, there is a need for clarity on why the arrack shops were shut down,” Anirudh Reddy said, as per reports.

The Congress MLA said he would raise the demand for reopening arrack shops in the State during the ensuing budget session of the Assembly. He also said a few States, including Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, had permitted the reopening of arrack shops.