The Prohibition and Excise (P&E) Department officials will conduct special drive during the New Year and Sankranti festival to prevent illicit brewing of liquor and sale in Krishna district, said the Excise Deputy Commissioner B. Mohanlal.
He appealed to the villagers not to sell or consume methanol-laced liquor and arrack and celebrate the festival.
Speaking to the newsmen here on Thursday, Mr. Mohanlal said that keeping in view of the previous incidents during the New Year celebrations, the P&E officials formed four special teams.
Awareness meet
The teams under the supervision of the Assistant Excise Commissioners will visit the vulnerable areas to prevent manufacturing and selling of arrack. The officials conducted an awareness meeting explaining the symptoms and health problems, if people consumed methanol-laced liquor or the arrack, in Sunkollu village, under Nuzvid excise station limits. Instructions were given to all the excise staff to distribute pamphlets to enlighten the people against consuming ID liquor in villages, said the DC.
Stating that the Excise officials were taking steps to sell liquor at the MRP in all shops, Assistant Excise Commissioner G. Chennakeshava Rao appealed to the public to pass on information on violation of the MRP or selling of ID liquor, if any in Krishna District. Public can call over phone Nos. 94409-02232 or 94409-02262 and inform the officials over brewing of arrack or sale of loose liquor, said the AC.