The rapid rate at which liquor consumption is growing in the four districts of undivided Adilabad, it may not be surprising if the quantum of sale crosses the ₹ 1,000-crore mark by September-end.
New excise year comes in to force in the State from October 1. The rate of growth in liquor sales, at about 18%, may augur well for the State’s finances, but it also has a great potential in spelling doom for the poorer sections of society.
Concerned citizens of Adilabad are demanding a proper study on the rise in alcoholism as it can provide a scope for better planning so far as liquor flow is concerned. “The Government should look beyond revenue generation from Excise,” suggested S.P. Pataskar, a member of the local voluntary organisation, Civil Society.
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Among the visible impact of rise in alcoholism among the poorer sections of backward areas like these four districts, is the growing number of widows. In Umdam village in Talamadugu mandal of Adilabad district the Samagra Kutumb Survey revealed that 60 women constituting 30% of the women’s population, turned widows in recent years as their husbands died due to excessive liquor consumption.
Another impact of addiction among the working class is the decrease in their work potential which has resulted in shortage of labourers in all spheres of activity. This is an assumption based on the fact that over 70% of the liquor sold is of the cheaper variety.
“Yes, this is a fact,” concurred All India Trade Union Congress Telangana State secretary S. Vilas. “Realising the danger of increasing alcohol consumption long back, we made it a policy matter to create awareness among workers on its ill effect,” he pointed out.
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The subsidies being given by the Government to the poorer sections has come in for sharp criticism from some other group of citizens. “By giving subsidies, the Government is indirectly telling the people they do not need to work,” lamented a shopkeeper on conditions of anonymity.
Though there is a sharp rise in the sale of liquor after formation of the State, only a study will reveal if it was because of the Government increasing the amount of subsidies. The total sale of liquor, between July 2012 and June 2013 was ₹ 514 crore and increased by ₹ 14 crore in the next year to ₹ 528 crore.
Between July 2014 and June 2015, the sale recorded was ₹ 598 crore, a jump of ₹ 70 crore, and was ₹ 692 crore between July 2015 and May 2016, an increase of ₹ 94 crore during the 11-month period. Between May 2016 and March 2017, the sale recorded was ₹ 759 crore, a jump of ₹ 65 crore during the 10-month period.