Hyderabad: BJP leader to fast on Nov 11 against liquor sale, consumption

Hyderabad: Demanding that the Telangana government take concrete measures to control the sale and consumption of liquor, state BJP leader S V Seshagiri Rao would undertake a 24-hour fast on November 11.

The government's policy to let bars, liquor shops with 'permit rooms' remain open till midnight and unauthorised liquor vends in rural areas is wrecking havoc in the lives of common people, state BJP president K Laxman told reporters in Hyderabad on Monday.

"Many youth and office-goers are lured into liquor consumption as bars and other shops sold liquor at subsidised rates in the name of 'golden hours' and 'happy hours' during day time," he said.

Laxman said that Seshagiri Rao will undertake a 24-hour fast on November 11 as he was moved by the damage caused by liquor consumption.

Referring to the death of several members of a family in a road mishap and another serious accident in Hyderabad allegedly due to liquor consumption by drivers, he said many families are "thrown on to the roads" due to such incidents.

"Our idea is that such incidents should not recur. This is not for politics," Laxman said.

"It is sad that government revenue from liquor sales rose to the tune of thousands of crores of rupees," he said.

Seshagiri Rao, a retired professor, is taking the initiative to start a campaign against the scourge of liquor consumption though he is well above 80 years in age, Laxman added.