The new liquor policy in Andhra Pradesh has turned a boon for liquor smugglers. It is known that the state government hiked liquor prices in the state by 200%, which is higher than all other states in India. Apparently, the illegal activity has been going on via trucks carrying essential goods from Andhra Pradesh to other states. When these trucks return back to the state, the smugglers purchase branded liquor from other states and enter the state illegally by bribing security personnel at various checkpoints.
There are several check posts located on the way and it isn’t easy for vehicles coming from other states to evade and enter AP. However, corrupt officials at various check posts allegedly accept hefty amounts of bribe and allow the trucks to pass through. According to Vijayawada excise officials, drivers and owners of transport vehicles have taken advantage of the situation in smuggling liquor into the state.
Can this be restricted?
Usually from Andhra Pradesh, several items like fishes, prawns and eggs are being transported on a daily basis via lorries to other states such as Assam, West Bengal and Bihar. Once the goods are dropped in those states, on the way back branded liquor is purchased and smuggled into the state. Recently, excise officials seized liquor worth Rs 25 lakhs at Penamaluru, near Vijayawada.
In reality, the alcohol which is being seized by the police and excise is just 5% of what is actually being illegally smuggled into the state. With the alcohol prices hiked in AP, the stock is being dumped not just from borders but also from faraway places. As per estimates, the state government is losing a revenue of around Rs600 crores on a monthly basis. Though the state government hiked alcohol prices to combat smuggling and alcohol addiction, it has failed in its primary mission to stop illegal smuggling.
Reducing alcohol prices, the only way
The only way to combat the menace of smuggling is that the prices of alcohol be decreased similar to that of other states, and to make available all types of brands. In addition to these efforts must be made to curb the flow of spurious liquor and hooch. Hope, the state government acts on the issue swiftly.
