Telangana Hyderabad - 150 Liquor Shops Closed due to Police Harassment
More than 150 liquor store owners in Malkajgiri, Medchal, and the neighboring districts closed their doors after accusing the police of harassing them. According to the owners, the police were taking money from their counters and referencing the model code of conduct (MCC), even though the employees had provided the necessary paperwork.
Every liquor store makes between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 8 lakh a day on average, with sales peaking in the evening. "Deposits less than Rs 50,000 cannot be made after midnight. A liquor store owner named P. Govardhan remarked, "Most of the time, the ATM server hangs up and the dealer insists that we deposit the lumpsum amount."
Another liquor store owner, M. ashok Reddy, charged that the police were abusing their authority by going to their stores right before the counter shut. They grab our earnings and take our car number, which we use to deliver the money to our homes every day. Since the announcement of the MCC, this has been taking place. Despite presenting the necessary documentation, lakhs of rupees have been confiscated," he claimed.
Every liquor store makes between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 8 lakh a day on average, with sales peaking in the evening. "Deposits less than Rs 50,000 cannot be made after midnight. A liquor store owner named P. Govardhan remarked, "Most of the time, the ATM server hangs up and the dealer insists that we deposit the lumpsum amount."
Another liquor store owner, M. ashok Reddy, charged that the police were abusing their authority by going to their stores right before the counter shut. They grab our earnings and take our car number, which we use to deliver the money to our homes every day. Since the announcement of the MCC, this has been taking place. Despite presenting the necessary documentation, lakhs of rupees have been confiscated," he claimed.
Another proprietor of a liquor store claimed that although the police had promised to return the money at the police station at the time of the seizure, it had actually been sent to the income tax department. "It is only possible to get our money back only after elections," claimed the proprietor.
"At first, the authorities told us that we had to show the supporting invoices if we carried more than Rs 50,000. Though the police have seized over `90 lakh, we always carry 'Naukar Nama', income-tax receipts, denomination slips, sales slips, bank slips, legal licenses, and other documents that prove our money is white. The business owners are all too poor to purchase new inventory. So, we concluded it would be best to close our stores till after the elections," added srikanth Reddy, the proprietor of another liquor store.
The district collector, who promised to find a solution after consulting with the police and excise officials, received a representation from the owners of these 150 stores, all of which are under the jurisdiction of the Rachakonda police commissionerate, according to ashok Reddy.
According to the police, senior officials have instructed them to take strict measures against anyone found in possession of more than Rs 50,000 until the elections are over.
Inspector B. sravan KUMAR' target='_blank' title='sravan kumar-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW'>sravan kumar of the uppal police department said, "If someone breaks the rule, we take legal action."
"We have given the wine shop owners instructions to adhere to the rules and use the ATMs to deposit any money less than Rs 50,000. Though it could take some time, there was a way to stop the seizures. We are in communication with high officials to devise a resolution as we acknowledge their concerns," he remarked.
"At first, the authorities told us that we had to show the supporting invoices if we carried more than Rs 50,000. Though the police have seized over `90 lakh, we always carry 'Naukar Nama', income-tax receipts, denomination slips, sales slips, bank slips, legal licenses, and other documents that prove our money is white. The business owners are all too poor to purchase new inventory. So, we concluded it would be best to close our stores till after the elections," added srikanth Reddy, the proprietor of another liquor store.
The district collector, who promised to find a solution after consulting with the police and excise officials, received a representation from the owners of these 150 stores, all of which are under the jurisdiction of the Rachakonda police commissionerate, according to ashok Reddy.
According to the police, senior officials have instructed them to take strict measures against anyone found in possession of more than Rs 50,000 until the elections are over.
Inspector B. sravan KUMAR' target='_blank' title='sravan kumar-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW'>sravan kumar of the uppal police department said, "If someone breaks the rule, we take legal action."
"We have given the wine shop owners instructions to adhere to the rules and use the ATMs to deposit any money less than Rs 50,000. Though it could take some time, there was a way to stop the seizures. We are in communication with high officials to devise a resolution as we acknowledge their concerns," he remarked.