Telangana: Gudamba businessmen to be weeded out

Hyderabad: Despite the announcement of a “Gudumba-free state” by TS government, the brew continues to be produced at many places. To stop this, the state government is coming with a new scheme to rehabilitate the manufacturers and other dependents on this activity. 

The state government initiated many schemes in Dhoolpet and some other areas of the state to check the production. The state government has conducted various surveys and found 7,886 persons involved in the business across the state. The survey showed that 2,404 belong to SCs, 1,687 STs, 3,630 BCs and 165 others.  TS Excise department principal secretary G. Somesh Kumar has prepared a scheme which was accepted by other concerned departments to rehabilitate them. The file is now with the Finance department for approval. Under the scheme, the state government will provide up to Rs 2 lakh to each person for rehabilitation. The state government will give 70 per cent as subsidy and remaining 30 per cent banks will provide as loan. Under Economic Support Scheme (ESS) Tribal welfare, Social Welfare, BC Welfare departments will provide funds for “Gudumba Rehabilitation” scheme.