Telangana liquor policy to curb arrack

Hyderabad: The Telangana government will bring in a new excise policy from October with the primary aim of eradicating gudumba (illicit distilled liquor) besides promoting fresh toddy by planting 5 crore toddy saplings alongside lakes and water bodies across the state.

The decision was taken during the review meeting on excise department conducted by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao at Secretariat on Friday.

The new excise policy in TS was supposed to come into force from July, but was postponed by three months after Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao sought special provisions in the policy to eradicate gudumba.

During the meeting, Mr Rao expressed serious concern over gudumba menace. He said though the government was spending Rs 28,000 crore per year on the poor over various welfare schemes, these sections were not leading happier lives due to ill-health on account of gudamba.

He said many young women became widows after their husbands died consuming gudamba and their families facing several problems for their livelihood and to bring up their children.

He told officials that he came across several young widows during his district tours over the last one year, who lost their husbands due to gudumba, and put forth a demand to ban gudumba before him. Mr Raoasked officials to prepare separate excise policy for Hyderabad to meet its "global city brand".

"Hyderabad is a global city. Several MNCs have set up their operations here.

Industry leaders and businessmen visit city frequently on their business tours. We should be able to meet their requirements on liquor brands by making all global liquor brands easily accessible to them," Mr Rao remarked.