Nellore: Villagers protest against liquor shops

Nellore: Strict implementation of Supreme Court order against locating liquor shops on the National Highways has been creating new problems to the people living close to these highways. To remain accessible to the highways for better business, wine shops are being established on the panchayat or municipal roads adjacent to the highways and this is creating trouble for road users, be it motorists or pedestrians, especially during evening times.

The crowd before the shops reminds the gathering before the theatres during the release of the films of mass heroes. Such outlets have been facing the wrath of people forums and women residents of the neighbourhood. Unable to secure proper place at vantage points, as many as 64 retail shops and 13 bars are yet to take the license. In addition to this strict implementation of the rules related to  MRP and belt shops also causing sleepless nights to the license holders, who jumped into the business hoping for rich benefits.

Thanks to the stand taken by new commissioner of excise and prohibition department Laskhmi Narasimham against irregularities whether minor or major. To enable officials to deal firmly with erring license holders, the monthly sale target has been removed. Absence of the sale obligation led the excise officials to make it clear that they can not save them if the dealers ignore MRP or operate belt shops. The penalty for MRP violation or belt shop offences is '1 lakh fine and closure of the shop for 20 to 30 days.

Such action was initiated already against four  shops and they will lose the license for second offence, deputy commissioner of excise T. Srinivasulu said. He said the volume sale is down by 14 percent because of delay in securing shop rooms by the dealers in view of restriction related to national highway. However the sale did not affect the revenue much compared corresponding period last year due to increase in liquor price. The sale was Rs 101 Cr in July last year and Rs 103 Cr in July this year.