Rajasthan News

Hanumangarh ranked first in producing illegal liquor

by RajasthanDirect
Feb 03, 2014

Hanumangarh district has got its high rank in manufacturing of illegal liquor in Rajasthan. Hanumangarh has maximum number of villages which manufacture illegal and hazardous hooch. There are about 48 such villages in Hanumangarh.

With the framing of the new excise policy by the state government, the excise department is determined to take stern action against those manufacturing and selling illicit liquor in the region.

The department has earmarked 265 villages and small towns in 15 districts across the state, notorious for manufacturing illicit and hazardous alcohol. Of these, Hanumangarh has the highest number of such villages. A fortnightly raid on regular basis will be conducted to curb the illegal activity at these places, is the latest dictum of the department.

Dausa stands second with 45 villages while Udaipur comes at third with approximately 100 units in the 33 blacklisted villages of the district. Tonk and Kota both have 25 villages each where the illegal manufacturing alcohol units are operative while 25 villages in Jaipur rural and the city too have been blacklisted.

As per the department’s data, 23 villages in Jhalawar, 12 of Bundi, 8 in Sawai Madhopur, 6 each in Ajmer, Kishangarh and Sriganganagar, 2 in Sikar while 1 village at Bharatpur have been blacklisted for such illegal activities.

Most of the villages where manufacturing and sale of country brew took place are said to be located on the highways or in its proximity which facilitate transportation of the products. In these units, denatured alcohol or methylated spirits is produced which consist of methanol and other harmful chemicals that has additives making it poisonous, extremely strong flavored and foul smelling.

Since these illicit liquor is very cheap compared to the ones sold at licensed shops, people often buy it in large numbers which proves a profitable business to the traders.

In the 33 villages of Udaipur district, 100 small ‘dhaanis’ have been identified where 90% of the tribal population is engaged in manufacturing ‘Hathkadd’ alcohol made of the Mahua – flowers of a wild tree found densely in the region.

Apart from the local liquor, many traders are adulterating alcohol being smuggled from the neighbouring states with additives. Despite planned raids by the excise team at such manufacturing units and seizing of the bhattis, great success have not been achieved since the families resume their activities after a short break.

Many times the raiding team have been attacked back by the villagers engaged in the work. The department will raid the blacklisted villages on a regular basis from now on to curb produce of illicit liquor in the region, district excise officer Santosh Kumar said.

src: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Hanumangarh-tops-list-of-districts-producing-illegal-liquor/articleshow/29784969.cms

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