The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Thrust on awareness against illicit liquor

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 26, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Thrust on awareness against illicit liquor

Special Correspondent

Excise Department launches first
‘anti-hooch’ drive

BANGALORE: The Excise Department will take steps to eradicate the menace of hooch (illicit liquor) in the State. The first “anti-hooch” drive organised by the department here on Sunday has given thrust to creating a high level of awareness in the people against the consumption of illicit liquor.

According to Joint Commissioner of Excise (Bangalore division) K.M. Ramakrishnaiah, after the arrack ban some people have started patronising illicit liquor which has had a “telling effect” on their health.

To make the people health conscious, the department organised talks by medical experts, including B.C. Bommaiah from Narayana Hrudayalaya, and psychologist M. Chandrashekar. The experts outlined the dangers of consuming illicit liquor and said it could damage vital organs in the human anatomy and lead to multiple organ failure and at times instantaneous death.

As many as 350 people, including social workers, rehabilitated alcoholics and members of youth clubs and women’s organisations, attended the programme. The Excise officials appealed to the people to report to the department if they had information on the manufacture of illicit liquor.

Mr. Ramakrishnaiah said the department was engaged in collecting data about illicit production in Bangalore urban and rural districts. He recalled the Sathyenahalli incident where many had suffered after consuming illicit liquor and said the city was a large market for illicit liquor as the product was manufactured in the peripheral areas.

The second phase of the awareness programme will be held in the rural areas. Similar drives have been planned even in the other districts of the State.

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