YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) MLC Botcha Satyanarayana has criticised the government’s move to allow beach shacks in Visakhapatnam.

“Encouraging beach-side liquor consumption cannot be considered genuine tourism development. It is against cultural values and traditions,” Mr. Satyanarayana said while addressing the media at his camp office here on Saturday.

Expressing concern over the accidents in the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, he said a YSRCP delegation would soon meet the plant management to seek a detailed inquiry into them and implementation of stronger safety measures.

Mr. Satyanarayana also accused the NDA leaders of spreading lies on VSP privatisation. He said YSRCP president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had played a significant role in resisting the Centre’s privatisation plans.

In the last two years, the NDA government ignored the promises made to the people, especially those beneficial for women, he said. He also alleged irregularities in the conduct of DSC-2025. Party leader Gudivada Amarnath was present.