Arrack gives liquor outlets run for their money

KARIMNAGAR: Sale of arrack, done on the lines of a cottage industry till recently, is emerging into a thriving business in Karimnagar district with an estimated annual turnover of nearly Rs.120 crore. The arrack trade, which is illegal, is giving stiff competition to liquor syndicates with annual auction of arrack outlets at villages.Prohibition and excise officials are unable to check the activity which is rampant in more than 200 villages in 48 out of the total 57 mandals in the district. Arrack outlet auctions are conducted by village committees, where bidders get the right to run arrack shops in respective villages for one year.The bids range from Rs.50,000 to Rs.3 lakh, depending on the consumption potential of the village. In some cases, the bid amount even goes up to Rs.5 lakh.The auctions take place on the lines of liquor auctions by the government and the village committees use the bid amounts for the development of the village. On noticing the brisk arrack trade, district superintendent of police V Ravinder issued a stringent warning against such activities recently saying the police would take severe action against those who brew arrack.But it appears to have no effect. “Arrack was consumed on a large scale by youth in Karimnagar town during the new year celebrations. It only indicates the seriousness of the issue. Though the police are making some efforts to curb arrack manufacture, it is the prime responsibility of the excise department,” said a police officer.Every year, arrack mafia is selling stock worth Rs.110 crore to Rs.120 crore, with Jagitial and Sircilla divisions claiming the top position in arrack business.Depending on demand, arrack is sold for Rs.35 to Rs.45 per litre. It is cheaper than the cheap liquor or illicit liquor that costs around Rs.80 to Rs.90 per bottle.Hence, the poor are opting for arrack increasingly as a result of which the illegal trade is growing by the day.Excise authorities remain mute spectators despite knowing the key people behind the activity.According to sources, nearly 24,000 litres of arrack is sold in the district everyday. When Express tried to contact T Venkateshwarlu, deputy commissioner of prohibition and excise, concerning arrack auctions in the district, he did not respond despite repeated attempts.