Telangana local body elections: Illegal liquor outlets mushroom in villages

With local body elections underway, unauthorised liquor outlets have proliferated across rural Adilabad. Candidates are allegedly using liquor to woo voters, even as police claim to be binding over habitual offenders and stepping up checks to curb illegal sale and transport of alcohol.

Adilabad: Rural areas abuzz with local body electioneering are reportedly witnessing the mushrooming of belt shops or unauthorised liquor outlets.

Villages across the erstwhile Adilabad district are known for housing several such shops where liquor is openly sold at prices higher than the maximum retail price, with at least a 20 per cent hike. Many tipplers depend on these outlets as authorised wine shops are located only in towns and mandal headquarters.

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Operators are said to procure liquor clandestinely from licensed shops. They allegedly pay monthly bribes to local police to avoid cases. While the government benefits from higher liquor sales and revenue, the operators are cashing in by trading illegally.

With elections under way, more belt shops are reportedly opening as candidates attempt to appease voters with liquor. Contestants in the panchayat polls are said to be hosting parties and purchasing alcohol from these outlets, believing it can sway voters and improve their winning chances.

Police, however, stated that habitual belt shop operators were being bound over before revenue authorities as the model code of conduct was in force. They warned of stern action against those violating the code or attempting to influence voters through liquor or money, adding that check-posts were set up to curb illegal transportation of alcohol.