Vikarabad village bans belt shops to curb liquor addiction

Nagaram village in Vikarabad district has banned belt shops following a resolution by the Gram Panchayat led by sarpanch N Laxmi Srinivas. Villagers supported the move to curb liquor addiction, improve health, and prevent financial distress among families.

Hyderabad: Curtains have come down on belt shops in Nagaram village located in Dharur mandal of Vikarabad district.

A woman sarpanch, N Laxmi Srinivas, with the support of the villagers, imposed a ban on operating belt shops in the village, which has a population of 2,500 people.

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Located around 100 kilometres away from Hyderabad, the village Gram Panchayat recently passed a resolution banning the sale of liquor in the village.

“The youngsters were getting addicted to liquor and not attending work. People were also developing health issues, so all of us held a meeting and decided to pass a resolution to close down the belt shops,” N Laxmi Srinivas told Telangana Today.

The village had around 10-12 belt shops operating from shops and houses in the village, which falls under the Dharur police station. “Initially, people involved in the illegal business opposed the idea. We are determined and will enforce the ban at any cost,” added Laxmi.

The women in the village are very supportive of the idea and are extending full cooperation. “The women don’t want their husbands to spend all their earnings on liquor. Also, there were many deaths in the village in the past due to liquor addiction,” said the sarpanch.

The people are happy with the collective decision and hope it will help the village prosper. “The money saved will be put to good use and help bring families out of misery,” said Shyamala, a local villager.