Synopsis
The Andhra Pradesh government has initiated a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe claims of corruption and irregularities in the Andhra Pradesh State Beverages Corporation Limited (APSBCL) during the YSR Congress Party's administration from 2019 to 2024, aiming to uncover financial misconduct.Key Takeaways
- SIT formed to investigate APSBCL corruption.
- Investigation period: October 2019 - March 2024.
- Led by NTR Police Commissioner SV Rajasekhar Babu.
- Accusations include significant financial misconduct.
- Previous allegations against CM Naidu for liquor scam.
Amaravati, Feb 6 (NationPress) The government of Andhra Pradesh has established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to delve deeper into the accusations of misconduct and corruption involving the Andhra Pradesh State Beverages Corporation Limited (APSBCL) during the tenure of the YSR Congress Party.
This seven-member SIT is set to scrutinize irregularities occurring from October 2019 to March 2024.
The SIT will be led by NTR Police Commissioner, Vijayawada, SV Rajasekhar Babu. Other members include L Subbarayudu from the Red Sanders Anti-Smuggling Task Force, along with Kolli Srinivas and R Srihari Babu as Additional SPs, P Srinivas as DSP, and Inspectors K Sivaji and Ch Naga Srinivas. An order regarding this has been issued by the Chief Secretary.
A case was previously filed at the CID Police Station following a complaint from the Principal Secretary (Revenue, VIG IV) Department, alleging misconduct and corruption within APSBCL during the years 2019-2024.
In response to a request from the Director General of Police for a comprehensive investigation into the matter, the government proceeded to form the SIT, which will operate under the oversight and guidance of the DGP.
The CID Police Station registered the case in September 2024 under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 420 (cheating), 409 (criminal breach of trust), and 120-B (criminal conspiracy).
In July 2024, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed the CID to investigate the excise policy implemented during the YSRCP administration. He released a White Paper in the Legislative Assembly, labeling it one of the most significant scams in Andhra Pradesh.
CM Naidu claimed that out of retail sales totaling Rs 99,413 crore over the past five years, digital transactions accounted for only Rs 615 crore.
Naidu indicated that the government would refer the cash transaction irregularities to the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
He accused the former Chief Minister, Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, of establishing benami distilleries and sourcing substandard liquor and beer from these through APSBCL.
According to CM Naidu, the flawed and inconsistent policies introduced by Jagan Mohan Reddy caused a loss exceeding Rs 18,860 crore to the state treasury between 2019-2024.
Interestingly, during the YSRCP's rule, a case was filed against Naidu for his alleged role in a liquor scam that transpired during the TDP regime (2014-2019).
In October 2023, the CID initiated a case against Naidu for his purported involvement in a liquor scandal during his earlier term, granting permissions to select distilleries.
This case, filed under various provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988, stemmed from a complaint by D. Vasudeva Reddy, the then Commissioner of Distilleries and Breweries, and Managing Director of APSBCL.
I.S. Naresh, a bureaucrat, was named the primary accused, with Kollu Ravindra, a former Minister and TDP senior leader, as the second accused, and Chandrababu Naidu as the third accused.
The FIR alleged that from 2014 to 2019, significant policy decisions were made that negatively impacted state revenues while benefiting licensees. It was also revealed that several distilleries were favored with Letters of Intent (LOI) against the recommendations of a designated committee.
