**Massive Liquor Scam Allegations in Andhra Pradesh: A Deep Dive**
Andhra Pradesh’s Excise Minister, Kollu Ravindra, has made serious allegations against the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government, claiming a significant liquor scam was orchestrated during their tenure. The minister accused the former administration of dismantling an automated ordering system to manually favor specific liquor brands, allegedly for political and financial benefits.
On May 9, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) initiated a money laundering investigation linked to this alleged liquor scam, which the Special Investigation Team (SIT) claims involved a meticulously planned Rs 3,200 crore operation disguised as liquor policy reforms between 2019 and 2024. Raj Kasireddy, identified as the primary accused, is said to have played a pivotal role in this conspiracy.
Ravindra highlighted that the YSRCP government disabled the C-Tel platform, a system intended to generate orders based on supply data, and instead promoted 43 specific liquor brands to collect commissions. He further alleged that the previous regime threatened and took control of distilleries to produce its own labels.
The emergence of lesser-known liquor brands such as Aadhan, Leela, NV, V9, Sona, and Munak, which had no presence in the state prior to 2018, raised additional concerns for the minister. He pointed out that during the YSRCP’s time in power, liquor sales amounting to Rs 99,413.5 crore were conducted entirely in cash, with no digital transactions recorded. “Where did this money go? Whose palaces did this cash flow into?” he questioned, drawing a comparison to the Rs 100 crore Delhi excise case that resulted in the arrest of several senior political figures.
A source familiar with the investigation noted that the scale and planning of the Andhra liquor case appear to be even more extensive than those seen in the Delhi Excise Policy scandal. Ravindra demanded accountability, emphasizing that even individuals connected to the YSRCP were implicated in the Delhi case. “How can those involved in a far bigger scam in Andhra Pradesh escape accountability?” he asked.
Describing the situation as not merely a financial scam but a “crime against public health,” the minister expressed concerns over the introduction of substandard and unapproved liquor into the market, which has reportedly led to increased deaths, illnesses, and dialysis cases.
In response to these allegations, the new TDP government has reintroduced transparency measures, including a “track and trace” mechanism and holograms to monitor the supply chain from bottling units to retail outlets.
**FAQ**
**What are the main allegations in the Andhra Pradesh liquor scam?**
The main allegations include the dismantling of an automated ordering system to favor specific liquor brands for financial gain, resulting in a Rs 3,200 crore scam during the previous YSRCP government.