Jupally says excise staff may get arms if needed
HYDERABAD: Prohibition and Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao on Saturday directed officials to take strict action against ganja, synthetic drugs, illicit arrack and non-duty paid liquor, stressing that protecting people’s lives is the government’s responsibility.
Reviewing enforcement activities with STF, DTF and excise enforcement teams at the department headquarters, the minister said the government was ready to provide arms to special enforcement staff if necessary. “Those who perform well will be given arms and trained,” he said.
Principal secretary Rizvi, excise commissioner C Hari Kiran, enforcement director Shahnawaz Qasim and additional commissioner Syed Yasin Qureshi attended the meeting.
Jupally instructed officials to study illicit jaggery production and sales, and prepare guidelines to divert seized jaggery to farmers for organic fertiliser production. He also asked them to explore ways to use non-duty paid liquor without destroying it, including recognising it as a national product for controlled sale.
He emphasised strict focus on ganja and synthetic drugs manufacturing, transport and consumption, and ordered checks on illegal industries in Nacharam and Cherlapalli.
The minister noted that toddy tapping had declined as youth were staying away from climbing palm and date trees. He said steps should be taken to encourage breweries to use toddy commercially.
He asked officials to monitor bars operating multiple outlets under a single licence, farmhouses and brandy shops violating sitting rules. He also directed surveillance of closed rice mills and other sensitive areas.
Excise commissioner Hari Kiran said department revenues had fallen but sales may rise during the upcoming Dasara festival. Enforcement director Shahnawaz Qasim said action plans had been drawn up to curb ganja, synthetic drugs, illicit liquor and non-duty paid liquor.
Deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners and teams from STF, DTF and enforcement wings from all districts attended the review.
