Telangana: Adulterated Toddy Fills Pockets of Corrupt Officials
The health impact has been severe. Chronic consumption of contaminated toddy leaves many unable to perform strenuous work in fields or industry. Kamareddy excise superintendent Hanumantha Rao told Deccan Chronicle that his department is cracking down on adulteration: several cases have been registered in the Banswada area, and public awareness campaigns are underway.
Nizamabad: High‐level corruption within several government departments has allowed the sale of adulterated toddy to flourish across Telangana. Fatalities linked to contaminated toddy have risen sharply, affecting both men and women addicted to the illicit brew. In pursuit of quick profits, unscrupulous depot owners, toddy tappers and corrupt officials are promoting this dangerous trade.
Disturbingly, some young migrant workers from Telangana have struggled to maintain jobs in the Gulf because of their dependence on chemically tainted toddy back home. Analyses have detected Chloral Hydrate, Diazepam and Alprazolam in spurious toddy samples, causing serious health problems. Yet, many elected representatives remain reluctant to intervene, prioritising political interests over public safety.
Toddy consumption has a centuries-old tradition in rural Telangana. Under the Telugu Desam government, Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao established tapper cooperatives and licensed toddy tappers to protect their livelihoods. However, as alcohol prohibition created high demand for toddy, middlemen paid large sums to these societies, reportedly Rs 1 crore in Nizamabad, to control production. They then began adulterating toddy with toxic chemicals to maximise profits.
With limited palm trees (etha and thati) available to meet demand, many rural and urban consumers have unknowingly drunk water mixed with harmful substances. To safeguard their illegal operations, depot owners and complicit tappers reportedly bribe officials in the prohibition and excise department, police, political circles, and even some media outlets.
The health impact has been severe. Chronic consumption of contaminated toddy leaves many unable to perform strenuous work in fields or industry. Kamareddy excise superintendent Hanumantha Rao told Deccan Chronicle that his department is cracking down on adulteration: several cases have been registered in the Banswada area, and public awareness campaigns are underway.
When approached anonymously, a toddy trader admitted that they feel compelled to adulterate toddy to satisfy demand, citing a lack of government support for natural toddy farms. He alleged that excise officers, lab technicians and police regularly extort bribes from shops and warned that online payment audits could expose these corrupt officials.
The cost of adulterants has soared: Chloral Hydrate now sells for Rs 2,000 per kg (up from Rs 200), Diazepam for Rs 40,000 (from Rs 5,000), and Alprazolam for Rs 400,000 per kg. Some drug sellers actively encourage the use of these chemicals across multiple districts, including combined Nizamabad, Adilabad, Karimnagar, Medak, Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy and Mahbubnagar.
Local resident V. Srinivas of Makloor village stressed that pure toddy, traditionally consumed for its health benefits, such as aiding digestion, reducing jaundice and preventing kidney stones, has been safe for decades. He urged the state government to take strict action against adulterators and to procure and sell genuine toddy at higher prices to protect public health.
