There have been frequent reports from the Telugu Desam Party-led coalition government that chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu has been giving strict warnings to the ruling coalition MLAs against illegal extortions from wine shop dealers and interfering in liquor dealings.
Yet, reports from different parts of the state indicate that the ruling party leaders and their family members continue to demand bribes from liquor shop owners and threatening them with dire consequences if they don’t yield.
In a latest instance, in Amalapuram constituency, local liquor shop owners were reportedly asked to pay Rs 50,000 per month for urban shops and Rs 30,000 for rural shops to the local TDP leaders.
A meeting was reportedly conducted under the name of the local MLA with all the liquor shop owners who were asked to cough up the commissions.
Shop owners expressed their inability to pay such amounts but offered to make a one-time payment of Rs 1 lakh per shop instead.
It remains unclear whether the meeting was conducted under the MLA’s directions or if it was an independent act by his associates or family members.
The issue has sparked a debate about the negative reputation these actions could bring to the government.
Liquor traders also voiced frustration over growing demands for bribes and commissions while profit margins remain unchanged.
They are arguing that if they have to pay bribes to the MLA or his men, they have no option but to operate belt shops (illegal liquor outlets).
“The traders are under pressure from demands for commissions. There are concerns this might encourage belt shops to flourish, as shop owners could resort to illicit sales at higher prices to recover costs,” sources said.
