Raids on liquor syndicates in Andhra

Andhra Pradesh's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Friday conducted simultaneous raids on liquor syndicates across the state.

For the second time in a month, ACB officials raided offices and residences of liquor traders, excise department officials and others suspected to be a part of the powerful syndicates.

ACB sleuths conducted raids in Guntur, Prakasam, Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, Warangal, Karimnagar and Nellore districts and seized records, sources said.

Liquor traders with the support from politicians and excise officials are allegedly selling liquor at rates higher than the maximum retail price.

Friday's raids were conducted on the basis of information gathered during the raids last month.

The government has still not come out with the details of the raids conducted last month though all opposition parties have been demanding it.

The opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has alleged that some ministers and leaders of ruling Congress party were involved in the syndicates.

State Congress chief Botsa Satyanarayana, who is also the transport minister, has denied allegations against him and has even urged Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy to order a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The chief minister has recently told reporters that ACB has not yet submitted its report on the raids.

Liquor is the biggest source of revenue for the public exchequer. The government earns over Rs.7,000 crore through the auctioning of liquor shops. (IANS)