Belt shops function with blessings of officials

Hanamkonda: Like elsewhere in Telangana, in the erstwhile Warangal district, belt shops function apparently with the blessings of licenced wine shop operators, excise officials and cops as a well-entrenched system of illegal monthly payments keeps the underhand machinery well-oiled.

Going by 1,367 revenue villages in the undivided Warangal district, with an average of four belt shops per village, there are over 5,400 belt shops -- spread over six districts, 79 mandals and 12 municipalities. There a total of 294 A4 wine shops (licenced ones) in the district: 67 in Warangal Urban district; 57 in Warangal Rural district; 50 in Jangaon district; 61 in Mahabubabad district; and 59 in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district (including Mulugu).

Going by the open secret in rural areas, Rs. 15,000 per month is paid to the local police station by each belt shop. Another Rs. 15,000 goes to the wine shop, around which the belt shops prefer to operate for “operational safety”.

A deposit of Rs.50,000 to Rs.1 lakh is made by each belt shop with the patronising wine shop operators. There are palpable allegations that an unofficial network of belt shops has encircled the 294 licenced A4 wine shops in the undivided Warangal district. Causing understandable concern, the liquor sales network is expanding in rural areas across villages, thandas, tribal habitations, hamlets and other settlements.

Considering that over 5,400 belt shops are operating in the operational area of official A4 wine shops, questions are being raised about whether such a large-scale system has been perpetuated without the knowledge of the Excise and Police departments. The larger question is: Who is (or Who all are) behind this organised network?

There are widespread criticisms that unauthorised liquor sale centres are operating in villages, thandas, tribal habitations, hamlets and other settlements, aside from licenced A4 wine shops. Women’s organisations and local people are expressing their concern that daily-wage labourers, agricultural workers, people with low incomes, common people and middle-class families are suffering heavily as liquor has become easily available in rural areas.

There is growing resentment that many families are being financially ruined as a major portion of the money earned through hard work throughout the year is being spent on liquor. Alcohol addiction is leading to family disputes, domestic violence, and increasing debt burdens. Concerns are being expressed that the availability of liquor round the clock in villages is increasing alcohol consumption and that its impact is being felt not only by families but also on the rural social system, public health, and law and order.

It is alleged that liquor is being supplied from A4 liquor shops at mandal headquarters, which have become syndicates for the belt shop system operating on such a large scale..

Within the Warangal region, the six districts of Hanamkonda, Warangal, Jangaon, Mahabubabad, Mulugu and Jayashankar Bhupalpally have 79 mandals, 12 municipalities and 1,367 revenue villages.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sadanandam Sirimalle

Sadanandam Sirimalle