HYDERABAD: The sale of liquor at a premium is an open secret in the state. Notwithstanding the order of Excise Department, the liquor shop owners continue to sell liquor at more than the maximum retail price printed on bottles. They also run belt shops to make profits ignoring the warnings of the excise officials.

    The liquor syndicate's arrogance can be somewhat attributed to the fact that a majority of politicians, irrespective of their party affiliation, are said have got a share in 6,596 licensed liquor shops and bars spread across the state. Sources said more than 150 MLAs, 50 MLCs as well as state and district level leaders of different political parties have got direct or indirect stakes in the liquor business. Nearly onethird of 60 MPs are also into liquor business directly or indirectly.

    "It is the most lucrative business for both the state government and politicians. Hence, a majority of politicians have got direct or indirect stakes in it. Though most of them are not directly involved, the legislators' brothers or kin run the business and a few MLAs have their aides as benami," says a member of the AP Wine Dealers Association from Krishna district. It would not be possible for all liquor traders to shell out crores of rupees to obtain a licence for a single outlet without the support of politicians.

    During the auction of liquor outlets for 201012, a single shop at Nadikudi village in Guntur district fetched the government a whopping Rs 5.21 crore. It is being said politicians of different parties might not see eye-to-eye on other issues, but are quite comfortable to form liquor syndicates to earn profits. Generally, the excise officials hesitate to initiate action against the owners of liquor shops with political connections.

    The situation turned worse when liquor shop owners in the twin Godavari districts and other coastal areas threatened to close down their shops if the excise officials continue raids and register cases for selling liquor at a premium and committing other malpractices.

    "Whenever we try to enforce the law, there is a heavy pressure on higher officials to restrain from it. While a few officials take bribes from wine shop owners and help them out, others who work sincerely have to yield to the pressure from politicos or face their wrath," says an excise inspector in coastal AP.

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