Singabhupalem gram panchayat in Kothagudem bans sale of liquor at belt shops

Residents of Singabhupalem in Kothagudem district have unanimously resolved to ban liquor sales at belt shops and public consumption of alcohol. The gram panchayat will also work to curb ganja, gudumba, gutkha and other tobacco products.

Kothagudem: Residents of Singabhupalem gram panchayat in Sujatha Nagar mandal of the district have come together to ban the sale of liquor at belt shops in the village.

The decision was taken as consumption of liquor at belt shops (unauthorised liquor outlets) often leads to clashes and unrest in the village. Following an initiative by village sarpanch Kinnera Venkanna, a grama sabha was held on November 6 to discuss the matter.

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Around 300 villagers, members of the panchayat governing body and belt shop owners attended the meeting. After reaching a consensus, a resolution was passed unanimously against the sale of alcohol as well as the public consumption of liquor in the village, the sarpanch said.

Speaking to Telangana Today, Venkanna said the gram panchayat had also decided to take measures to prevent the sale of ganja and gudumba (illicit liquor), as their consumption was leading to health issues among residents besides disrupting peace in the village.

When the idea was mooted at a meeting held on November 3, the belt shop owners opposed it. A committee comprising five members each from the BRS, Congress, CPI and CPI (M) was then formed to ensure that the entire village gave its consent to the move.

With the help of villagers and the committee, the belt shop operators were convinced to stop selling liquor, and everyone in the village consented to making Singabhupalem completely free from alcohol consumption, he said.

The village, with a population of 2,500, had around eight belt shops. There has been a visible change in the village since liquor sales stopped, and women are very happy, Venkanna noted, adding that steps would be taken in the coming days to curb the consumption of gutkha and other tobacco products.

A resident of Singabhupalem, G Suguna Rao, stated that the initiative would ensure the welfare of families besides addressing the financial and social problems that alcohol consumption often causes within families.