Jaggery is the main raw material for illicit distillation and the vigil to check traders supplying it will continue, says Deputy Commissioner of Excise Ch. Gopalakrishna.
The Gur Regulation Act of the Central Government also lays down that jaggery should be sold for bona fide consumption and as cattle feed. As such, the Excise Department has powers to check any illegal transportation, he says.
While Visakhapatnam and Gajuwaka appear to be relatively free from illicit distillation, the Anakapalle, Elamanchili, Payakaraopeta, Narsipatnam and Madugula circles illicit distillation is taking place and in the Agency area it is rampant, he says. During the last few days, 1,500 kg of black jaggery was seized at Paderu.
As a part of the drive against illicit distillation, bind-over cases are being booked under Section 110 of Cr.P.C. for an amount of Rs.1 lakh for good conduct and around 40 to 50 persons have been bound over so far, Mr. Gopalakrishna said.
Awareness against illicit distillation on the lines of ‘Navodayam’ in Mahabubnagar district which has finally been declared ID-free will be created. But at the same time enforcement measures will continue, asserts Mr. Gopalakrishna.