KURNOOL: Liquor consumption in Nandyal has broken all records as liquor worth Rs 44 crore was supplied to the town in July. Last year, the figure stood at Rs 30 crore, deputy commissioner of excise Sivaramudu said. This supply of excess quantity is against the norms issued by Election Commission of India. There is a huge demand for liquor as all hotels in the town are running with 100 per cent occupancy.
Cheap liquor, too, is driving the election campaign as Nandi Distilleries is said to have pumped barrels of ‘Heavens Doors’ brand cheap liquor ahead of the Model Code and Election Commissions restrictions. Despite a 44 per cent jump in month-on-month quantity supplied to Nandyal, the supply is found to be totally inadequate. Tipplers in Nandyal are thirsting for a drink as the Model Code of Conduct, in view of the byelections, has come in the way of their booze binge.
With 15 bars and restaurants, and 11 wine shops, the prosperous Nandyal is buzzing with good business. “As star campaigners like Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy steamroll their speeches to the nook and corner of the constituency, booze discussions have taken a hit with the cut in supply,” said Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, president of the Wine Dealers’ Association in Nandyal.
He said the supply was hit as Beverages Corporation was not allowing the shops to lift stock. “Instead, they are now allowing us to lift the stock for just two days at any given point of time. This has upset our customers and business prospects,” he lamented. The district administration has been told by Chief Election Officer Bhanwar Lal to curb the flow of liquor into the poll-bound constituency.
In a circular, he said the district administration must take steps to curb the inflow of liquor to Kurnool district, as it may be misused to influence voters. He directed it to ensure that shop-wise issue and sale of IMFL/BEER and other alcoholic products during the election period from July 27 to August 28 (date of counting of votes) to each shop in Kurnool district does not exceed that of the corresponding period of the year 2016, in entire Kurnool district and in each IMFL shop in the district. He told them to send a daily report on the issue and sale of IMFL/beer and other alcoholic products in Kurnool district.
