In the back drop of the continuous raids by the ACB and registration of cases against them, more than 6000 liquor dealers across AP have decided to close shop at the end of Feb by surrendering their licenses and seeking return of their fee for the remaining four months of March, April, May and June.

Disclosing this to media persons after a meeting of the AP Wine Dealers Association in Hyderabad today, D Venkateswara Rao, secretary of the Association said they are not in a position to sell liquor at the MRP rates as they have invested huge amounts to obtain licenses for selling liquor.

“We have invested huge amounts for licenses and how can we sell at the prescribed rates?” he asked.

“We want to clear up the issue before Feb 20 and want to take back our license fee for the balance period as we are not in a position to sell liquor at the rates suggested by the Government,” he said, adding the association also decided to push for a revision of the excise policy.

Blackmailing move

The attempt of the wine dealers to threaten closure of their shops and seek return of their fee is seen as a step of blackmailing the government. Observers feel the wine dealers have decided to corner the government with their blackmailing move and buy liberty to continue with the selling of liquor over and above the MRP prices. (JUBS)