In a powerful statement to the Assembly, Minister Kollu Ravindra addressed grave accusations pertaining to the 2019–2024 liquor policy. He drew attention to a widespread practice of preferential treatment, in which eight firms received a disproportionate amount of liquor orders—more than sixty-three percent of all orders.

According to Ravindra, an average of Rs. 200 was unlawfully requested in every transaction, and there is proof that the sale of beer and liquor resulted in the theft of Rs. 3,113 crore. He maintained that formerly accessible national and international brands, which were the target of intimidation and threats, have been systematically eliminated as a result of the recent rise of local brands.

While Officer’s Choice sold 35 lakh cases in 2018, orders fell to barely 5 lakh during the previous government, according to the minister, who also highlighted glaring disparities in sales numbers. McDowells’ deliveries also decreased from 22 lakh cases to only 5.

According to Ravindra, the state’s liquor earnings increased dramatically from Rs. 4,186 crore in 2018–19 to Rs. 42,762 crore in 2023–2024. He ascribed this increase to the harmful outcomes of replacing high-quality brands with inferior ones. The minister brought up the unfortunate event in Jangareddygudem, when 42 people lost their lives as a result of drinking tainted alcohol.

The low quality of accessible alcohol is a contributing factor to the disturbing trends of increased alcohol-related crime, suicides, and health concerns such as liver and renal difficulties. He said that from 343 instances in 2018 to 4,913 cases in 2023, admissions to the Guntur GGH De-Addiction Center increased dramatically.

Ravindra vehemently defended the policies of his administration, pointing out that they gave careful testing of different kinds of alcohol top priority in order to guarantee quality. They oversaw the transparent allocation of 3,396 liquor stores, which brought in Rs. 1,797 crore in application fees.

He emphasized his dedication to the liquor industry’s employees by announcing that 350 stores had been set aside especially for them, in addition to subsidies totaling Rs. 103 crore in license fees. In an effort to discourage the impoverished from using dangerous homemade whiskey, the government has also sought to make alcohol more reasonably priced. Quart bottles are expected to cost Rs. 99.

Ravindra pledged to discover and punish individuals accountable for past misappropriations and pledged openness in the continuing CID probe, demonstrating his dedication to public health. He said that during the establishment of the inquiry, important records were destroyed at Tadepalli Palace, indicating widespread corruption.