Vijayawada, October 16, 2025 — Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has instructed officials to take firm action to curb the menace of spurious (fake) liquor in the state. During a review meeting with Excise Department officials at the RTGS Centre in the State Secretariat, Naidu directed that every liquor bottle sold in retail outlets must be scanned using the Excise Suraksha App to ensure its authenticity.
He urged consumers to buy liquor only after verifying the bottle’s barcode through the app, ensuring that they get genuine and safe products.
Blaming the previous YSRCP government for irregularities and the spread of counterfeit liquor, Naidu said that those responsible for the earlier liquor scam are now trying to politicize the issue.
The Chief Minister ordered officials to take strict legal action against those running belt shops (illegal liquor outlets), even suggesting the use of the Preventive Detention (PD) Act against offenders. He also stated that if necessary, the government is ready to amend the Act to strengthen enforcement.
Naidu made it clear that organizers of illegal liquor sales will not be spared—regardless of their political background.
