Liquor belt shops trigger public anger and protest plans in Kothagudem

People’s organisations in Kothagudem district have announced plans to launch protests against the spread of illegal liquor belt shops in rural areas. They alleged official inaction and warned of agitations if the authorities failed to shut down the unauthorised outlets.

Kothagudem: With liquor belt shops mushrooming across the district, various people’s organisations are gearing up to launch a fight against the menace.

The Munnuru Kapu Association and the All India Banjara Seva Sangham have called for public protests in villages against the running of belt shops in rural areas. Leaders of the associations said the law and order situation in villages was deteriorating due to the unchecked spread of such illegal outlets.

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Munnuru Kapu Association Paloncha town president Chennamsetty Ranga Rao alleged that the illegal belt shop racket had crossed all limits in the district. While liquor is sold at the maximum retail price in authorised wine shops, belt shops were fleecing consumers by charging an additional Rs.30 to Rs.40 per quarter bottle, he said.

The silence of the Excise department authorities over the illegal exploitation was triggering intense public anger, Ranga Rao said. Women, in particular, were worried that the easy availability of liquor at every nook and corner was leading to addiction among youth and causing severe financial hardship to families.

In this backdrop, people across the district were voluntarily uniting and preparing to launch a movement shortly, he said. Meetings would be held in every village, followed by rallies and protests demanding the closure of belt shops.

There is a growing perception among the public that the concerned officials are protecting belt shops through inaction. If the authorities failed to shut them down, massive agitations would be staged at the district headquarters and the District Collector’s office and, if necessary, road blockades and bandhs would also be organised, Ranga Rao warned.

All India Banjara Seva Sangham district president Bhukya Chandu Naik said the issue was not merely about liquor prices, but about the overall well-being of people. He alleged that the number of belt shops had increased manifold after the Congress came to power.

The government, he said, appeared to be focused only on revenue generation through liquor sales, without addressing the harmful impact of belt shops on rural communities. He demanded that the government act immediately and close down all belt shops.