Kothagudem village auctions single belt shop to curb illegal liquor sales

Residents of Chinthiryala Gram Panchayat in Kothagudem have adopted a novel approach to curb illegal liquor sales by auctioning rights for a single belt shop. While locals welcomed the move, the decision has sparked controversy as belt shops lack legal sanction.

Kothagudem: Residents and sarpanch of Chinthiryala gram panchayat (GP) in Aswapuram mandal in Kothagudem district have found a unique solution to curtail liquor belt-shops mushrooming all over the GP.

It might be noted that liquor sales through unauthorised outlets commonly known as ‘belt shops’ have become rampant in both rural and urban areas across Telangana. With the same situation prevailing in Chinthriyala GP, the locals are worried over youth becoming addicted to alcohol leading to social issues.

---

Women, in particular, faced significant difficulties as liquor is easily available in every grocery store in the GP. According to the locals there are over 20 belt shops under the limits of Chinthiryala GP that has three villages Chinthiryala, Chinthiryala Colony and Kattamvarigudem.

The panchayat sarpanch, A Usha Rani held a meeting with Kattamvarigudem village elders and panchayat members; a decision was made to shut down all the belt shops and allow only a single belt shop to operate in the village.

As per the decision, an open auction was conducted a few days ago by the panchayat and the highest bidder has been given rights to sell liquor in the village for one year. A trader, Parsika Chanti won the bid in the auction for a price of Rs 1.58 lakh.

Speaking to the media, the sarpanch Usha Rani stated that the auction was conducted to bring down the number of belt shops as liquor is available in every grocery store and none were able to prevent the youth from consuming liquor.

Hence the decision was made to allow one belt shop to operate on the outskirts of the village. The revenue generated from the auction would be utilised for the development of temples, address the needs of government schools and other welfare activities.

Steps would be taken to conduct similar auctions in other two villages as well as to allow one belt shop in each village, Usha Rani noted. Though auctioning of belt shops that are illegal and lacks legal sanction has sparked some controversy, the locals welcomed the move as they felt it could curb rampant liquor sales. Meanwhile, the excise department officials remained silent over the development.