Ranchi, May 17 (UNI) Bharatiya Janata Party's Jharkhand state president and Leader of Opposition, Babulal Marandi, on Saturday strongly criticised the Hemant government's new liquor policy, alleging that it is designed to benefit the government's favourites.

In a press conference in Ranchi, Marandi referred to a letter he had written to the Chief Minister, stating that he had previously exposed the state government's policies and intentions and would do so again when the time comes.

Marandi alleged that the Hemant government had laid the foundation for a third liquor scam during its tenure.

“While the first two scams were still under investigation, the government had introduced a new liquor policy to benefit its favourites, effectively giving a free hand to mafia elements to monopolise the liquor trade,” he claimed.

He stated that under the new policy, liquor licences will be auctioned in units, with each unit comprising one to four shops. An individual or group can acquire a maximum of 12 units, allowing them to operate up to 48 shops in a single district and 140 shops across the state.

Marandi claimed that this policy would enable a single entity to dominate the liquor market, further fuelling corruption and irregularities.

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