The Andhra Pradesh Government, also known as A.P., is in the process of ordering a thorough investigation into the alleged liquor scandal by Crime Investigation Department (CID). The State’s alleged corruption reportedly took place between 2019-24 tenure of YSRCP led by former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.
The CID inquiry will be done as per the directives issued by the Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu when he was presenting a White Paper on Excise Policy in Assembly lately. The Chief Minister himself has been personally looking at the matter regarding alleged scam investigations.
The NDA government had blamed the then ruling party of diverting funds, committing extortion, harassing existing distilleries, non payment of dues, discouraging digital transactions, bypassing Andhra Pradesh Beverages Corporation in certain cases and encouraging belt shops among others.
According to Kollu Ravindra, minister for excise and prohibition policy, this would be worked out through modalities related to CID probe indicated by CM.As announced by the Chief Minister earlier this day, Friday.
One thing for sure about this particular scam is that it is one of the biggest scams hitherto requiring comprehensive investigations on part of both State Government’s CID and Union Governments ED for an entire fraud.
According to white paper issued by state government over 99% money transactions at its own liquor outlets are done in cash mode only and not through any digital payments. It stated that between 2019-24 retail sales amounted to ₹99,413.5 crore. At this time there was no option for digital payments up till 2023; even Rs 615 cr (0.62%) Digital Payments were effected during 2023-24 only.
Moreover, Mr. Naidu further alleged that while introducing substandard liquor and raising prices substantially, YSRCP government restricted well known reputed brands.
