NALGONDA: Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy on Monday confirmed to the TNIE that he was the one who shared the text message on WhatsApp groups, imposing conditions on the liquor trade in his constituency.
He said he plans to meet Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao to press for the abolition of belt shops across Telangana.
Rajagopal Reddy said liquor revenue in the state rose from Rs 5,000 crore before the formation of Telangana to Rs 45,000 crore now. He argued that raising revenue from liquor, which harms public health, was undesirable and said that instead of funding welfare schemes with such income, some of them should be reconsidered.
Following his campaign against belt shops, during which he announced a `5 lakh reward for villages that eliminated illegal liquor sales, Rajagopal Reddy in his message announced strict guidelines for new wine shop licensees in Munugode.
The MLA said that shops should be located outside village limits, not include permit rooms, avoid selling to belt shops, refrain from forming syndicates, restrict sales between 4 pm and 9 pm, and more.
When asked about the WhatsApp message, the MLA said his intention was not to inconvenience traders but to curb excessive drinking among youth and improve public health, family finances and women’s empowerment. He added that he was not against liquor itself but against “daylong drinking” that leads to addiction.
During his village visits, he said he had seen young men die before the age of 30 due to alcoholism, leaving families destitute. He described this as the motivation behind his belt shop campaign and restrictions on sale hours. On Monday, local leaders submitted these proposed conditions to the excise superintendent in Nalgonda as guidelines for liquor tender applicants.
Meanwhile, some contractors have expressed reservations about bidding, citing higher business risks, though others have welcomed the move as a public health measure. The deadline for liquor shop applications is October 18.
