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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Villages to fight against liquor

Staff Reporter

Those who sell liquor to be fined Rs. 10,000
The decision came into force from October 12

KHAMMAMPALLI (Medak District): Slowly, but surely and firmly, a silent revolution is taking place in Medak district. Villages are raising their voice against sale and consumption of liquor, through belt shops. Not one, three villages decided to fight against liquor. All the three villages are being headed by women Sarpanches incidentally.

Khammampalli is a small village with a population of about 3,000 situated about 10 km from the national high way. No proper transport was available to go to the village and many of the villagers are not highly educated.

But coming together they took a firm decision of banning sale and consumption of liquor, after experiencing the evil effects of drinking.

This was decided at a meeting held at Rachhabanda in the centre of the village on the next day of Dasara. “Those who sell liquor will be fined Rs. 10,000, those who consume will be fined Rs. 5,000 and those who create any scene will be slapped with chappals for 25 times,” says N. Nagabhushanam, a farmer of the village sitting on the Rachabanda. He was supported by Adivayya Swamy and Venkatesh, who used to run belt shops in the village, till recently. There were about 10 belt shops doing a business of Rs. 15,000 a day. The decision came into force from October 12.

For the villagers of Khammampalli, the inspiration is from neighbouring Gorregattu, another small village with a population of around 1,000. “We have so far fined four persons, Rs.2,500 each, who created trouble in the village after consuming liquor. There is no liquor sale in the village,” says Jayamma, a DWCRA group leader.

Taking cue from these two villages, another village Chinna Chelmeda has also decided to against liquor. A resolution was passed in a meeting attended by women in the village on Sunday.

While Khammampalli is being led by T. Savitramma, Gorregattu is led by Nirmala Veershetti and Chinna Chelmeda is headed by M. Rajamma.

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