Gouds demand ban on belt shops

Himayatnagar: The president of Telangana Goud Association, K Nagaraju Goud demanded that the State government cancel permissions given to belt shops which have been the cause for the destruction of toddy profession in the State. He was speaking at a press conference held on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti at the association office here on Wednesday.

Speaking to media, Nagaraju said that about 60 lakh people were dependent on the toddy profession and have been severely affected by the large number of belt shops. People stopped consuming toddy as the government has given permission to 20 to 30 belt shops under each wine shop, thus affecting lives of toddy collectors and those dependent on toddy production.

As a result, toddy collectors have been facing severe financial crisis. He said that Gouds have decided to start a movement for complete prohibition of liquor and cancellation of belt shops on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. The movement would be taken up at different levels - at village, mandal and State levels, he said. Future plan of action would be decided after consulting all those who were involved in the prohibition movement, such as people's associations, women associations, student unions and political parties, he said.

As part of the movement, discussions would be held with intellectuals, representatives of various people's associations and political parties, he added. Nagaraju demanded that the State government grow more toddy trees in order to provide employment to toddy collectors. He said that the association would meet the CM KCR and excise minister Srinivas Goud for resolution of their demands. He urged all the members of Goud community to support the decisions taken by the association to fight for complete prohibition in the State.