Excise shocker: Jaggery buyers asked to produce Aadhaar card

Warangal Urban: It is not just for obtaining death certificate or PAN card for which Aadhaar card is required, but much to the surprise it is now being made mandatory for purchase of a lump of jaggery as well.

The officials at the Excise department have decided to rely on Aadhaar number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) as a means to keep a check on Gudumba brewing in the Warangal district.

The Excise department authorities have notified wholesale dealers and traders in the district to obtain a photocopy of Aadhaar card before selling the produce to general public and to retailers (kirana shops). Further, jaggery is being rationed out depending upon the type of the buyer.

It may be noted that in June and July, the sale of white jaggery used for domestic use has been stopped by the department to curb brewing of illicit liquor (Gudumba). The decision has hit the traders and common public alike.

“We have approached the Excise department and the district administration to permit us to sell the produce and consented to abide by the conditions they prescribe in selling the produce,” informed Jaggery Merchants Association president Madarapu Sadashivudu.

Following which, the Excise officials with the consent of higher ups have allowed jaggery sale, subject to conditions. During a recent meeting, the officials told the traders to get Aadhaar card of the buyer and ensure that jaggery sold was not misused.

Speaking to The Hans India, Sadashivudu said that a box containing 20 kilograms of jaggery would be sold to proprietors of small retail shops and two boxes would be sold if the volume of the business is higher. Four boxes of jaggery would be sold to those holding GST licence.

“Chikki (Palli Patti) makers and societies who require more quantity have to submit an application to urban excise police station stating their requirement and the purpose of purchase. After getting permission from the department, they can buy the produce,” he said, adding that “We are not selling jaggery to anonymous persons.”

Meanwhile, The Excise Deputy Commissioner Suresh Rathod told The Hans India that the department has adopted several measures to curb brewing and consumption of Gudumba across the state as a policy initiative.

The department was able to prevent the sale of black jaggery used in Gudumba production. As it was learnt that some were brewing Gudumba using white jaggery for personal consumption, its sale at wholesale dealer’s level was also restricted for some time.

As the dealers made a representation, it was decided to permit conditional sale of jaggery in erstwhile districts Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Khammam along with Warangal. The dealers were asked to file a sales statement in every 15 days to the Excise department, the official noted.

Care was taken to prevent jaggery misuse at retailer level also. The owners of retail shops have to collect the details of the buyer, in a specified proforma if the purchase was beyond two kilograms, Rathod added.

“It is cumbersome to produce Aadhaar card every time. The officials have to lift restrictions on quantity of jaggery sold. The retailers have to be allowed to buy whatever quantity they need,” felt a retailer called K Krishna Murthy.