Andhra Pradesh - Warangal

Lok Satta refutes YSR’s “false claims”

WARANGAL: The Lok Satta district unit has found fault with the claims of Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy that his party fulfilled all its promises during the last four years.

Addressing a press conference, party district president P. Kodanda Rama Rao and Mahila Satta president B. Kavya accused Congress leaders of hoodwinking the people with their false claims. The party promised to reduce liquor sales in its manifesto. But, every year the State government doubled its excise revenue and now it has given permission to 20 new distilleries. “This is against the spirit of the Constitution,” he said.

The State government machinery kept silent as liquor traders expanded their trade opening belt shops in rural areas. The unchecked flow of liquor shattered poor and middle-class families. Women are widowed and children orphaned as people die young due to alcohol.

“The much claimed 104 medical services in the rural areas will not yield the expected results as the government encouraged the sale of liquor. No amount of welfare will be sufficient unless the liquor shops are restricted and steps taken to prohibit liquor in a phased manner,” Mr. Rama Rao argued.

The State government promised to give Rs. 1 lakh to panchayats unanimously declaring prohibition on liquor. Despite the Lok Satta furnishing a list of some panchayats, the government did not bother to release the promised amount.

The ruling Congress and Opposition TDP were adopting double standards with regard to prohibition of liquor in the State. However, the Lok Satta will initiate stringent steps to liberate poor from the menace of liquor.

Stepping up its campaign against the Arogyasri scheme, the party decided to organise a public debate on Sunday at Zilla Parishad hall.

The party contends that the scheme was aimed at helping corporate hospitals and diluting government hospitals thus depriving the poor of much-needed medical services.

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