Immediately after coming to power, the TRS government reopened the banned toddy shops, unmindful of the vociferous protests from civil society to such a move. That will now pale into insignificance at the latest proposal of the government.
It is now planning to reintroduce sale of ‘arrack’, an alcoholic spirit made from the sap of coco, palm or rice.
The government’s move, however, has angered several sections of people as no government had dared to re-introduce arrack after it was banned in undivided AP in 1993 owing to widespread social unrest.
“Re-introduction of arrack sale would be a disastrous move leading to a big social problem. The government should never venture into such a dangerous exercise,” said Niranjan Lal Agarwal, president of Andhra Pradesh Distilleries Association.
Confirming the development, officials said that the Telangana government was studying the Maharashtra model where arrack is sold in the name of “desi daru“. He justified the move saying it was aimed at regulating the sale of illicitly distilled liquor that is rampant across Telangana.
The government can’t justify such a move on the basis of raising finances either, for the State is blessed with a surplus budget.
Recent Random Post:
