Women’s organisations and several civil society groups on Tuesday demanded that the Andhra Pradesh government withdraw G.O. No. 362, opposing the proposal to permit liquor sales through beach shacks on Visakhapatnam beach.

At a round-table meeting organised at the Gandhi statue near the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) premises under the banner of the Mahila Sanghala Aikya Vedika (United Forum for Women’s Organisations), the participants resolved to intensify their agitation if the government proceeded with the proposal. They also constituted a Beach Shacks Opposition Committee to coordinate future protests.

The meeting was chaired by AIDWA State leader B. Padma, NFIW State president A. Vimala, POW State president M. Lakshmi and CMS State leader Lalitha. AIDWA Visakhapatnam district secretary Y. Satyavathi welcomed the gathering. Senior advocate Giridhar, AIDWA State vice-president B. Prabhavathi, CITU district secretary S. Jyothiswara Rao, and representatives of various women’s, trade union, student and civil society organisations also participated.

The speakers contended that permitting liquor sales along the beach would affect the safety of women, children and families visiting the promenade. They urged the government to promote tourism by improving civic amenities, cultural infrastructure, museums and heritage sites instead of permitting liquor sales at beach shacks.