Anantapur:Lack of stringent action against adulteration of toddy, by the Prohibition and Excise department in Hindupur area in Satya Sai district, is evident.
Sources said the vigilance team of the Prohibition and Excise conducted raids and found diazepam residues in 17 toddy shops in Lepakshi, Chilamathur and Parigi mandals, out of the samples collected from 20 shops from the area in December last.
The toddy samples were sent to the Chittoor laboratory where 17 out of 20 toddy samples were found to carry diazepam and other harmful residues.
The Prohibition and Excise police from Hindupur arrested only six persons in this connection while no action was initiated against the remaining persons who were reportedly involved in selling adulterated toddy in the licensed shops. A few of them were associated with the ruling Telugu Desam.
The local officials were allegedly ignoring the directions from the vigilance wing and higher authorities to initiate action against the errant.
It is alleged that a majority of toddy shops were selling adulterated toddy, mostly mixed with diazepam, a harmful chemical that will adversely impact on human health.
When contacted, Anantapur Prohibition and Excise deputy commissioner Naga Muddayya said the Hindupur staff directed the arrest of all the accused in the adulteration cases. He also said a vigil will be kept on all the shops to prevent adulteration.
