Hooch makers to turn honchos of sorts
Lives may take a different turn for thousands of people who make their both ends meet by brewing and selling ‘Gudumba’ (ID liquor) across the State if the government’s newly launched programme is anything to go by.
Hyderabad: Lives may take a different turn for thousands of people who make their both ends meet by brewing and selling ‘Gudumba’ (ID liquor) across the State if the government’s newly launched programme is anything to go by.
The innovative programme meant to abolish the practice of brewing illicit liquor, leading to alarming increase of deaths, will see brewers turning into industrial entrepreneurs in Telangana. The programme will provide skill development and required financial assistance to the brewers.
As many as 6,900 families have been identified by the State Excise and Prohibition department. Warangal registered the highest number of gudumba makers followed by Mahbubnagar, Nalgonda, Adilabad, Karimnagar, Khmmam and Nizamabad. Dhoolpet has been identified as one of the main centres in Hyderabad for ID liquor smuggling in Hyderabad.
Under the new programme, brewers who would quit the profession, would be provided with technical training at ITI colleges and other recognised institutions in districts. Depending on their line of interest, trainees would undergo training in automobile, electronics, mechanics and other industrial fields.
After the completion of the training, the beneficiaries would be provided with financial assistance up to Rs 5 lakh through banks to open their own shops and begin a new life. Over 700 families in Mahbubnagar and 360 in Warangal were already provided with financial assistance. The scheme for providing permanent livelihoods to all identified brewers is in full swing in many districts, according to Excise Commissioner Chandravadan.
Speaking to The Hans India, the official said district authorities were mobilising funds within their budget for permanent rehabilitation of the identified gudumba brewers. The government is also releasing funds to the districts where gudumba menace is high.
Perhaps, it was the first time in Telangana that such a big programme has been taken up for the welfare of gudumba makers, the official said, adding that all brewers would be provided with assistance depending on their interest. Some want to open grocery shops while some are more interested in honing their skills useful for their livelihoods permanently.
In erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, the government introduced many welfare schemes for the brewers at Dhoolpet and in some identified pockets in districts. Lack of commitment in implementation led to failure of authorities to eliminate the decades-old practice of brewing country liquor illegally which has been sold to consumers at cheaper prices particularly in villages and hamlets.
Chandravadan said the campaign to end ID liquor manufacturing taken up by the department yielded good results. All brewers came out voluntarily to give up their profession. On the other hand, the government is launching an intensified campaign on ‘gudumba-health hazards’ in all villages to make Telangana free form id liquor.
By:Patan Afzal Babu
