Hyderabad, June 2: Newly elected Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Saturday ordered officials to shut illegal outlets or 'belt shops' that sell liquor in the state. Fulfilling his poll promise, the Chief Minister said stringent action should be taken against those running such shops. He said his government was committed to fulfil its election promise and will impose total prohibition in phases. The Chief Minister said awareness and rehabilitation programmes should be conducted to distance the poor from liquor. Jaganmohan Reddy Announces Rs 3,000 Monthly Pension For Senior Citizens. 

Reddy directed all the officials to cancel the license of dealers running the illegal outlets in the state. Reddy, who took oath as the Chief Minister on Thursday, held a meeting with senior officials in Hyderabad to review the state's finances. In the meeting, Reddy also asked the officials to prepare reports on financial status of the state to place before 15th Finance Commission which stresses the need for according special category status to Andhra Pradesh.

The Chief Minister said the officials should explain the present financial situation and why the state needs special category status to overcome the financial crisis. Reddy, as YSR Congress Party chief further added saying that all the ‘belt shops’ should be removed to protect the interests of poor and happiness should prevail in every family by removing this menace.  "If necessary, the government should consider running liquor shops on its own," an official statement quoted him as saying. He asked the officials to study the best practices being observed in other states.

According to reports, the newly elected CM also wanted the officials to come out with innovative ideas to improve the financial condition without burdening the common man. He suggested a green tax on industrial waste, value addition to red sanders, getting loans with low interest rate and a sand policy.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 02, 2019 10:24 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).