Hyderabad, Feb 21: The ACB raids on liquor syndicates, and its exposure of the involvement of politicians and bureaucrats in the massive scam has created sensation in the state. When the ACB has mentioned that the Excise Minister Mopidevi Venkata Ramana was stated to have taken kickbacks to the tune of Rs. 10 lakhs, it was thought that the involvement of all the politicians would be exposed. There were also demands for the resignation or dismissal of the minister. But nothing of the sort has happened. Now, a single look at the ACB report, gives way to doubts that the entire episode was being turned into a mere mockery.

Let’s have a look at the ACB report

The report says the excise staff in West Godavari district and the police in Mahabubnagar district haven’t received any kickbacks. It also says that in Chittoor, Karimnagar, Krishna, Kurnool, Mahabubnagar, Nellore, Prakasham, Ranga Reddy, East Godavari and Visakhapatnam districts and in Rajahmundry “Others” (leaders and others) have not received any kickbacks. Is it believable? This report makes it clear that either the ACB has totally toned down its report or having been alerted by the earlier raids, the liquor syndicates in these districts have cleaned up their records.

Raids were not at all conducted in Vizianagaram and Nizamabad districts. Why these two districts were excluded was not explained. It was initially said that the Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy has primarily aimed the raids at his bete noire and PCC Chief Botsa Satyanarayana. Botsa also admitted that his family members owned 31 wine shops. Still the report says that no raids were conducted in his Vizianagaram district. The cash seized by the ACB was also mentioned as just Rs. 10 lakhs. ACB says that of the Rs. 12.56 crores, paid by the liquor syndicates as bribes, excise authorities received Rs. 9.37 crores while police received Rs. 3.12 crores. The report says that others (politicians and others) have received just Rs. 7.02 lakhs. Who are these others? They could be politicians and media, who were alleged to have received regular ‘Maamools’ (monthly payments). The figure of Rs. 7 lakhs received by others is ridiculous as the ACB’s case diary said that Mopidevi alone was alleged to have received Rs.

10 lakhs. The opposition estimates of the kickbacks alone total to more than Rs.15,000 crores.

It is being said that the ACB has altered the basic reports it has received from districts while making the consolidated state report and removed several names.

Several politicians have escaped getting caught, in the process. Even several officials have also escaped the ACB net, say reports. While an excise official who has taken Rs. 10,000 was arrested, one who has taken Rs. 10 lakhs has escaped.

As the opposition is pointing out, why should the government organize these raids if it has no guts to take action? Whom are they trying to cheat?