It is known to our readers that Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy had announced the implementation of Liquor Prohibition in Phases. By the time of the next elections, Jagan promised to ensure that the Liquor is available only in Five-Star Hotels.
The Government has taken over the liquor business completely to cut off profit motive.
There were talks of no belt shops and a reduction of wine shops every year. All that has disappeared into thin air.
Initially, the Government restricted the sale of liquor until 6 PM but later extended it till 9 PM to increase the sales.
Today, on the occasion of New Year Celebrations, the government decided to allow the sale of liquor until 1 AM to fill the Government coffers.
From liquor prohibition to extending business hours of wine shops, the transformation is complete in less than four years.
Elections are on in Andhra Pradesh in fifteen months and we will all see what happens to that promise of Jagan – ‘I won’t ask for votes if the Prohibition is not possible’.
