SHG women wage war against belt shops in Krishna district

Members of Self Help Groups (SHGs) have joined hands to remove unauthorised liquor outlets (belt shops) in Krishna district. The SHG women, with the help of officials, are now conducting raids to stop the sale of Illicitly Distilled (ID) liquor.

Officials of Prohibition and Excise (P&E) Department has constituted committees with SHG groups, Sarpanches, Excise Sub-Inspectors, Law and Order SIs, Mandal Revenue Officers, and Mandal Development Officers in all mandals and villages to identify and remove these belt shops.

Speaking to

The Hindu on Sunday, Krishna district P&E Deputy Commissioner G. Joseph said following instructions from the government, committees were formed at mandal, village and district level to prevent unauthorised sale of liquor in rural areas and mandal headquarters.

“As many as 49 mandal-level committees, 972 village-level committees have been constituted. Similarly, a district-level committee has been formed under the chairmanship of Collector. The Excise Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police and DRDA Project Director will act as its members,” he said.

Sarpanches would lead the respective village committees and the SHG group head will lead the mandal-level committees. The teams will meet for every fifteen days, visit rural areas and plan measures for identification and closure of belt shops in villages and mandals, Mr. Joseph said.

“The SHG groups with the help of police, revenue and excise authorities are conducting raids to stop brewing of country-made liquor,” said a SHG woman P. Bharati.

“The district-level panel will hold meeting every month and review the situation. More than 2,000 belt shops were closed in the last few days and stern action would be taken, if people sells liquor at home,” he said.