YSRCP running fake campaigns on liquor to mislead people, says I&PR Minister Parthasarathy

When the entire country is appreciating the rapid development the State has been witnessing under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, the YSRCP is busy running a false campaign on liquor and misleading the public, says Minister for Information, Public Relations and Housing Kolusu Parthasarathy.

Addressing the media in Vijayawada on Saturday, Mr. Parthasarathy said investments increased after the TDP-led NDA government came to power in the State, and globally reputed organisations were coming.

The Minister alleged that it was the YSRCP that encouraged a few individuals to resort to liquor adulteration in Mulakalacheruvu mandal. People know who was behind it, he said.

Pointing out that unsafe, fake brands and low-quality liquor was sold to people during the YSRCP tenure, the Minister said the NDA government was making all known brands available to people.

Basic tests were also not conducted during the YSRCP tenure, he said, adding that in contrast, Mr. Naidu prioritised public health and would take stern action against people involved in adulteration of liquor.

He further said that medical tests had been conducted on 1,70,000 people and their lab results showed that no one was affected by adulterated liquor. “No adulteration has been found in liquor sold through government shops as well,” Mr. Parthasarathy said.

The government introduced excise safety app and QR code, and a consumer can scan the code to know about its production details, the Minister said, adding that the government would not endanger lives of public for profit.

“Liquor is now being sold transparently via digital payments, unlike in the past when only cash transactions are allowed,” he said. Vigil at inter-State borders was tightened to prevent illegal liquor movement, he added.