Khammam: The illegal brewing of arrack has been curtailed to a large extent in the district. It is only practised by a few people in remote areas and within forests.
Officials have managed to control the brewing by levying large penalties on brewers, and by announcing monetary benefits to those who agree to give it up.
In Kamepalli mandal, the brewing of arrack was once quite common, but now it has almost vanished. A few bottles, however, continue to be brewed in other mandals.
Similarly, brewers have also stopped making arrack in Enkoor mandal. The ban on the sale of black jaggery could have something to do with this.
Traders have been asked to record people’s Aadhaar card numbers before selling jaggery to them.
In Karepalli, it is suspected that arrack continues to be brewed in some placed. The mandal has a massive forest which offers brewers some cover.
Avula Srinivas, a resident of Chimalapadu, says that habitual brewers continue to take their chances.
“Continuous vigil is needed. Alcoholics prefer regular liquor over gudumba,” Mr Srinivas says.
Karepalli, Enkoor and Kamepalli were the main hubs for the brewing of arrack, but brewing activities have come down by nearly 95 per cent.
Out of fear of being raided, nobody dares to take the arrack to other villages.
N. Appa Rao, a teacher, says that some locals continue to consume arrack in their own villages, but they do not bring it to other habitations.
