ఏపీని భయపెడుతున్న మరో వాయుగుండం | Another Low-pressure Area in Bay of Bengal

A massive liquor scam has been uncovered in Andhra Pradesh by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), revealing that nearly ₹4,000 crore was allegedly paid in bribes to YSRCP leaders and officials during the previous government’s tenure. The investigation found that liquor manufacturers were forced to pay kickbacks ranging from ₹150-₹200 per case to operate in the state, creating a corrupt system favoring select liquor brands.

According to media reports, these bribes were routed through a sitting Lok Sabha MP and a former Rajya Sabha MP from the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP). The scam allegedly allowed lesser-known, newly-formed liquor brands that paid bribes to dominate the market, while well-established national brands were pushed out. The government-run liquor outlets sold only selective brands, which caused widespread dissatisfaction among consumers at the time.

The controversy dates back to 2019 when Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSRCP government introduced a new liquor policy. While Jagan initially promised to implement prohibition, the policy instead restricted liquor sales to government-run outlets, effectively sidelining national brands. This paved the way for local brands like Daaru House, British Empire Beer, and Power Star 99 Whiskey to gain a strong foothold. The SIT’s findings suggest that these brands thrived due to preferential treatment and corrupt dealings, with little regard for quality control.

As the 2024 elections approached, TDP Chief Chandrababu Naidu heavily criticized the previous government’s liquor policy, vowing to bring major reforms. Following the regime change, the new administration wasted no time in launching an investigation. By September 2024, the state’s principal secretary (revenue) filed a complaint with the CID, highlighting financial irregularities within the Andhra Pradesh State Beverages Corporation Limited between 2019 and 2024. Soon after, the Director General of Police recommended the formation of an SIT to probe the matter further.

A seven-member SIT, led by SV Rajasekhar Babu, was established in February 2025, and the investigation has now reached its concluding stages. The SIT’s final report is expected to provide detailed insights into the scale of financial damage and identify those responsible for the scam.

A white paper released earlier by the new government estimated that the YSRCP’s liquor policy cost the state nearly ₹18,860 crore in financial losses. With the case progressing, public interest is growing, with many demanding strict legal consequences for those involved. The case is now drawing comparisons to the Delhi Liquor Scam, which led to the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and several AAP leaders, ultimately destabilizing the AAP government. Now, all eyes are on the Andhra Pradesh Liquor Scam and whether former CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and his close aides will face similar legal action.