Amaravati: The Chandrababu Naidu government appears to have pressed the damage control button as the ‘Nava Ratna’ promises made by YSRCP President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy were finding an echo among the people.

One among the nine promises are:complete prohibition on liquor in the state in a phased manner and sops to DWCRA women. Chandrababu Naidu became cautious and called for a meeting of his Cabinet colleagues to devise a strategy to face the YSRCP.

Chandrababu has announced the release of Rs 676 crore for the welfare of DWCRA women in the state.

Soon after this, he hurriedly convened a cabinet meeting to impose ban on belt shops. Even though, the issue was mentioned in the TDP manifesto, Chandrababu took three years to act on the belt shops. The AP government seems to have realised that there was severe backlash from the women after it had announced its new liquor policy.

Addressing media persons after the Cabinet meeting, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Kaluva Srinivasulu admitted that the state government is mulling to reconsider its decision on its liquor policy by deciding to ban belt shops in the state.

Stern action would be taken against those who sell liquor without licenses. The Excise police have braced up to conduct a special drive to crackdown against the illegal liquor shops across the state.