Hyderabadis are drinking for a cause

IBNLive : Hyderabadis are drinking for a cause: "The Andhra Pradesh government had floated the Little Hearts Foundation to help children get free heart surgeries. But lack of funds became a huge problem. However, the Andhra Government has come up with a unique solution to the problem of funds

People in Andhra Pradesh can now raise a toast without feeling guilty about it. That's because every drink they enjoy, will help save a child's heart. AP Chief Minister YSR Reddy has decided to levy an extra one per cent surcharge on sale of alcohol and beer. The revenue collected will be used to these operations.

The state excise department collected Rs 2,600 crores from sales of alcohol last year. It's hoping to earn a similar amount this year too, and that is excellent news for ailing children. The surcharge has been levied from this month. And the excise department is hoping to donate at least Rs four crore every month for these surgeries."