Even as the special investigation team (SIT) of the Andhra Pradesh is said to be deeply investigating the liquor scam that allegedly took place during the previous Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy regime, there are fresh allegations, this time against the Telugu Desam Party leaders, that they are using the same model to make big money through illegal means.
According to sources, the model adopted by Raj Kasireddy, the prime accused in the liquor scam, has come in handy for the TDP leaders to make quick money in the liquor trade.
Apparently, the track-and-trace software used to monitor bottle movement—remains vulnerable to manipulation.
During the previous YSRCP regime, Raj Kasireddy is accused of exploiting loopholes in the software to enable large-scale diversion of liquor, allowing bottles to bypass official depots and move directly from distilleries to retail outlets.
According to analysts, unofficial liquor sales during that period allegedly matched official sales volumes. Shops reportedly accepted only cash payments, with daily reconciliations enabling illicit proceeds to be siphoned off.
Since unofficial sales bypassed GST and excise duties, the profits were allegedly enormous, especially considering that a bottle costing around Rs 30 to manufacture was sold at nearly Rs 180.
While the SIT continues probing the liquor scam, there are allegations that the state government has retained the same software model allegedly used during the previous scam, and even facilitating its continuation through a fresh tender process held last month.
During the YSRCP tenure, the liquor software was operated by a firm named Vishishta, while earlier, during the previous TDP regime, the responsibility lay with C-Tel. After the coalition returned to power, new tenders were floated following the expiry of the contract—but the same software architecture allegedly resurfaced under a different company name.
The contract was allegedly awarded to an NRI who had earlier mobilised election funds for the Telugu Desam Party in Dallas, USA, despite lacking technical expertise in software development.
The individual reportedly runs a manpower supply business and did not meet eligibility norms, prompting authorities to introduce a consortium model to facilitate the bid.
Further controversy surrounds the hologram and adhesive labels used on liquor bottles. While market rates for such labels are reportedly around 12 paise per unit, the contract allegedly fixed the price at 35 paise per label.
With an estimated monthly sale of 20 crore liquor bottles, the annual value of the label contract alone is pegged at nearly Rs 84 crore. To avoid scrutiny, specifications were allegedly altered to allow paper-based printing instead of aluminium foil holograms.
“It is now Chandrababu Naidu’s responsibility to ensure transparency and prevent the emergence of what is being described as a new liquor scam,” sources said.