Harish Rao condemns Congress U-turn over excise policy, push for liquor sales

He condemned the recent issuance of memos to 30 excise circle inspectors, who were reportedly warned with transfers for failing to meet increased liquor sales targets.

Hyderabad: Senior BRS legislator and former Minister T Harish Rao came down heavily on the Congress government for its U-turn over excise policy and push for liquor sales. He condemned the recent issuance of memos to 30 excise circle inspectors, who were reportedly warned with transfers for failing to meet increased liquor sales targets.

“Before coming to power, the Congress vowed to curb liquor sales and shut down belt shops. But the Revanth Reddy government is now pressuring excise officials to boost sales by 10-25 per cent in their respective circles,” he said.

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Harish Rao questioned whether this aggressive push for liquor sales was the “amendment of excise policy” promised by the Congress in its election manifesto. “The Congress government’s actions expose its double standards. They seem more focused on enabling around 1.7 lakh belt shops to operate freely, to achieve high excise revenue targets at the cost of public health,” he said, adding that this is the shameful change that the Congress could achieve in less than one year of its rule.