The Babu-Mark Liquor Scam

• Illegal collections of ₹10–20 on every liquor bottle are being reported across the state.
• A syndicate network is allegedly running unauthorized extra collections from consumers.
• Liquor is being sold above the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) in several locations.
• According to YSRCP, Chandrababu Naidu has betrayed liquor consumers by failing to deliver on his promises.
• Consumers are left with neither affordable prices nor quality liquor.
• The promised ₹99 liquor has disappeared, with prices now reaching ₹120.
• The same pattern is being reported from Eluru, West Godavari, Bhimavaram, Visakhapatnam, Bheemili and Alluri district, indicating a statewide racket.
• YSRCP describes this as the “Babu-Mark Liquor Scam.”
• The party claims that illegal collections are ultimately reaching the Karakatta Palace.
• It also alleges that one out of every five bottles being sold is fake liquor.
• Illegal liquor cases are allegedly being used to divert attention from these issues while targeting YSRCP leaders.
• Those raising questions on social media are reportedly facing false cases and attempts to remove their videos.
• YSRCP says corruption and administrative failure under the present government have reached unprecedented levels.
• During the YSRCP government, QR codes were introduced on every bottle to ensure transparency in liquor sales.
• The party further claims that a non-existent liquor scam is being projected to divert attention from present-day irregularities.

Examples of Overcharging

• Visakhapatnam South: Budweiser beer with an MRP of ₹300 is being sold for ₹310.
• Tanuku, West Godavari: Royal Stag quarter bottle with an MRP of ₹220 is being sold for ₹240.
• Visakhapatnam South: Manjeera cheap liquor quarter bottle with an MRP of ₹150 is being sold for ₹160.
• Bheemili: Budweiser 500 ml can with an MRP of ₹190 is being sold for ₹200.
• Eluru: Budweiser beer with an MRP of ₹300 is being sold for ₹310 after the formation of a syndicate.
• Koyyuru, Alluri district: Beer priced at ₹200 is being sold for ₹210, with an additional ₹10 charged.
• Bhimavaram: A beer priced at ₹200 was sold for ₹210, with the explanation that prices had increased after the formation of a syndicate.

These are not isolated incidents. Reports from multiple districts indicate that liquor is being sold at ₹10–20 above the printed MRP.

Before the elections, Chandrababu Naidu and the TDP campaigned on promises of reforming the liquor sector, reducing prices and ensuring quality liquor. According to YSRCP, after coming to power those promises have been abandoned. The party claims that liquor shops have fallen under the control of syndicates and that even shops allotted through lottery have subsequently been taken over.

YSRCP says the government has failed to reduce liquor prices by even a single rupee. Instead, the promised ₹99 liquor has disappeared and consumers are now paying an additional ₹10–20 over the MRP on every bottle. The party alleges that these illegal commissions are ultimately being routed to the Karakatta Palace.

Bundles of Kickbacks Reaching the Karakatta Palace?

Before the elections, Chandrababu Naidu promised to eliminate the liquor mafia, provide quality liquor and reduce prices. YSRCP contends that after assuming office, liquor consumers have instead become victims of systematic overcharging.

The incidents reported from different parts of Andhra Pradesh have raised serious questions. According to the party, after accusing the previous government of a liquor scam during the election campaign, the present government is presiding over a far bigger scandal.

While one price is printed as the MRP, another price is allegedly collected at the counter. Videos circulating from different locations reportedly show an additional ₹10–20 being collected on every bottle.

Questions That Need Answers

• Why is liquor being sold above MRP in Eluru, Bhimavaram, West Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Bheemili, Alluri Sitarama Raju district and several other places?
• Who authorised the sale of liquor above MRP?
• Into whose pockets is the additional money flowing?
• How is the same pattern of overcharging taking place across the entire state?
• Is the Excise Department unaware of these practices?
• If it is aware, why has no action been taken?
• Who are the masterminds behind the additional commissions collected on every bottle?
• Are these collections ultimately reaching the Karakatta Palace?

₹99 Liquor Has Disappeared — Consumers Burdened

The government promised to reduce liquor prices before the elections. According to YSRCP, after assuming office the affordable liquor scheme disappeared altogether.

The widely publicised ₹99 liquor is now reportedly priced at ₹120. Consumers continue to pay higher prices while also facing additional collections above MRP.

The result, according to the party, is a double burden—higher prices combined with illegal commissions on every bottle.

Rule of Syndicates

Although the government states that liquor shops were allotted through a lottery system, YSRCP claims that the operations are actually controlled by a single syndicate.

While licences may exist in different names, the party alleges that management remains concentrated in the hands of one network, resulting in uniform overcharging across the state. It describes the system as organised and systematic extortion.

QR Code System Under YSRCP

YSRCP states that during its tenure a QR code-based bottle tracking system was introduced to ensure transparency and accountability in liquor sales.

The party claims that the present government has abandoned that transparent mechanism and is instead creating false narratives about the previous administration while diverting attention from current irregularities.

YSRCP leaders and individuals associated with Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy are, according to the party, being implicated in false cases. At the same time, the government remains silent on allegations of liquor being sold above MRP across the state.

The party further alleges that individuals raising these issues on social media are being targeted and that videos exposing overcharging are being removed.

When Will This Loot End?

YSRCP argues that consumers’ hard-earned money is being siphoned away through illegal commissions on every liquor bottle while the authorities remain silent.

The party maintains that no consumer—rich or poor—should be forced to pay even one rupee above the printed MRP.

Based on videos, complaints and reports emerging from different districts, YSRCP has demanded an immediate inquiry into the alleged overcharging racket. It has also called for the cancellation of licences of liquor shops found selling above MRP and for the refund of the additional amounts collected from consumers.