The Hindu : Minister orders closure of all 'belt shops'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Aug 24, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Minister orders closure of all 'belt shops'

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD AUG. 23. The fire-fighting by the Andhra Pradesh Government over "cheap'' liquor deaths continued today with the Minister for Excise, T. Sitaram, serving an ultimatum on district superintendents to close down all "belt shops'' by August 25 at any cost.

The Minister also ordered withdrawal from market three out of the existing 15-odd "cheap'' liquor brands falling under the "O'' category — Black Horse, Golden Finger and Indra, with immediate effect.

According to the Excise Commissioner, T. S. Appa Rao, there are about 7,514 IMFL retail outlets in the State allowed through licence fetching about Rs. 2,800 crores to the exchequer, and about 1,400 "belt shops.'' The Government banned the "belt shops'' following the casualties but many of them were still open.

Mr. Sitaram told reporters later that the case relating to the deaths had been handed over to the CB-CID. Further action also was contemplated against the suspended officials/staff depending on the findings of the inquiry to be made by the Principal Energy Secretary, Jannath Hussain. The casualties, however, remained at seven, he said.

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