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Illicit toddy menace left unchecked
Adulterated toddy has become a cause for grave concern in districts like Wanaparthy, Gadwal, Nagarkurnool and Mahbubnagar due to an increase in the sales. Though the excise officials are aware of the situation there is no action taken against shops selling toddy mixed with poisonous chemicals like chloral hydrate (CH).
Mahbubnagar: Adulterated toddy has become a cause for grave concern in districts like Wanaparthy, Gadwal, Nagarkurnool and Mahbubnagar due to an increase in the sales. Though the excise officials are aware of the situation there is no action taken against shops selling toddy mixed with poisonous chemicals like chloral hydrate (CH).
Even though the districts have very less number of Toddy trees, majority of the toddy sellers are selling artificial toddy, under the guise of government’s toddy selling initiative. “Due to adulterated toddy many labourers are suffering from body pains and nervous system problems.
The toddy sold in the shops is adulterated and mixed with poisonous chemicals. In spite of our many complaints to the Excise Department, no one is taking action against the violators,” says Banavath Gopal of Veepanagandla mandal in Wanaparthy district.
Despite the lack of toddy trees, the liquor available in the shops is abundant with no shortage problems which proves that majority of the toddy sellers are preparing artificial toddy by adapting adulterated methods. Some of the Excise Department officials are also accused of extending support to the illegal racket of toddy selling.
Recently, a special force team of Excise Department seized 4.5 lakh quintals of CH in Neetempadu village of Gadwal mandal.
More than 100 villages, bordering Karnataka, in Gadwal district are severely affected by the illicit toddy consumption. According to rough estimates, the toddy sellers purchase CH for Rs 500 to 800 per kg and mix it in with some white liquid and then sell it to consumers as natural toddy.
Deaths have been reported in villages of Nandinne, Atkoor, Ganganpally, Pagunta, Irkichdu, Basvapuram etc in Gadwal and Wanaparthy districts due to the consumption of illicit toddy.
“We are regularly carrying out raids on adulterated toddy sellers and are keeps tabs on the menace in districts. Recently we seized a large stock of CH and booked cases against the culprits. We will not spare anyone who is found selling adulterated toddy. Such criminals will be dealt with according to the law,” said Janardhan Reddy, Excise Superintendent, Wanaparthy.
