The Prohibition and Excise (P&E) Department is probing the role of some staff for alleged collusion with the belt shop (unauthorised liquor outlets) owners.
The government in July last directed the officials to close the shops and book cases against the accused. Though it warned of stern action, they were being run at many places causing severe loss to the government.
Officials, during raids, booked thousands of cases against the owners.
Cases booked
In some districts, the accused were running the shops with the cooperation of some local staff.
“We booked 9,648 cases against the belt shop owners, including some women, and arrested 10,046 persons in just seven months. The Excise department suspended five employees, including Yelamanchili excise Circle Inspector for failing to control such shops,” said P&E Director (Enforcement) K. Venkateswara Rao.
Instructions had been given to the liquor shop owners not to supply stock to the belt shops.
Licences cancelled
The licences of the shops would be cancelled, the Director warned.
“As many as 332 vehicles used for transporting stocks to the belt shops were seized and licences of 265 shops, which supplied liquor to the illegal outlets, were cancelled. We are also receiving complaints at the ‘Parishkara Vedika No.1100,” Mr. Venkateswara Rao said.
Massive campaign
Excise officials took up a massive campaign against the belt shops and on the consequences of running them in both the urban and the rural areas, he said.
“If the Excise personnel fail to identify and take action against the belt shop owners, action would be taken against the local staff,” he said.
