JOIN USHe was speaking at an awareness programme on the ill-effects of consuming illicit liquor organised by his department at Chikkadibburuhalli on Thursday.
Only permitted
Mahadevaswamy said that liquor should be bought only from shops which have taken permission from the government. While illicit liquor kills the drinker within five hours of consuming it, hooch is a slow killer, the officer said.
Genuine liquor bottles have a label with a seal. Once the seal is removed, a diamond-shaped label is found with the signature of the State excise commissioner.
On holding the adjacent black space against blue light, one can see the commissioner’s signature there also, explaining the method to distinguish illicit liquor bottles from genuine ones.
Ending the menace
N Ramesh, Excise inspector of Shidlaghatta range, said united efforts by Sthree Shakti Groups can help end the menace of alcoholism in villages. He called upon people to report to the department if they come across illicit liquor and hooch.
The names of those giving information would be kept a secret, he said.
Some women among the audience narrated their plights that men in their families said they consumed illicit liquor with the money earned by them and none could question them.
If the women persist with their efforts to get the men give up drinking, the men even beat them, they said. They sought a solution from the officer for the problem.
Awareness programmes
Another person said that informants about those selling illicit liquor get beaten up. Excise inspector Ramesh, in his reply, said several awareness programmes were being organised regarding the ill-effects of consuming liquor.
“We are sending the message across by giving examples of those who died last year by consuming illicit liquor at Dibburuhalli village last year. We are telling the menfolk that families come to the streets, if they are addicted to alcohol,” said Ramesh.