Despite repeated warnings from Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, asking his party MLAs and also their counterparts from other coalition partners, Jana Sena Party and the BJP, not to interfere in liquor and sand-related businesses, they seem to be caring a damn for him.
There have still been several reports in the media, including TDP-friendly media, of these MLAs resorting to intimidation to claim their "share" in liquor and sand business activities.
It is learnt the chief minister continues to be flooded with complaints from business people in several regions about the threats they are receiving from the ruling coalition MLAs forcing them to part with their commissions and shares.
Ever since the new excise policy came into force, controversies arose during the tender process for liquor shops, with allegations that some MLAs obstructed businesspeople from participating. Even after Naidu warned the MLAs, they continue to demand commissions.
According to the latest reports, these MLAs and their associates are allegedly demanding a share of 30-40% from liquor shop owners operating in their constituencies. They are reportedly pressuring businesses to pay annual sums ranging from Rs 25 to Rs 30 lakh.
Those refusing to comply are said to face various forms of harassment, such as creating obstacles to setting up shops or using officials to enforce stringent regulations selectively. This has left several business owners, who have invested significant amounts, incurring losses.
These obstructions have reportedly delayed the issuance of regular licenses to around 15% of the newly allocated liquor shops, even though provisional licenses were granted earlier.
Normally, regular licenses are issued within ten days of receiving provisional ones, but undue pressure from MLAs is allegedly causing delays.
In some cases, landlords renting premises for liquor shops have also faced threats from MLA supporters if they do not align with the demands.
Such reports have emerged from districts including Eluru, Tirupati, YSR, Kurnool, Annamayya, Palnadu, Kakinada, Bapatla, Guntur, Prakasam, Anantapur, Sri Sathya Sai, and East Godavari, sources added.