Karnataka - Bidar   

Smuggling of toddy into State continues

BIDAR: Smuggling of toddy from Andhra Pradesh to the border districts of Karnataka continues despite checks.

Since Karnataka has banned the sale of toddy, Andhra Pradesh has become a source of supply. Toddy is smuggled through rail and road to Gulbarga, Bidar and Raichur districts from Andhra Pradesh.

In Bidar, officials of the Excise Department destroyed about 1,000 litres of toddy between July and November this year. Those engaged in the “business” in Andhra Pradesh find Karnataka a potential market.

Besides, the ban on sale of toddy in the State and the demand for it during summer encourages the activity.

In trains, the contraband is concealed in bags and tubes and kept underneath seats and also in toilets.

After crossing the border, the bags and tubes are dumped at a pre-designated spot along the rail track, so that it could be collected easily.

It is then stored and sold to customers through dhabas and other outlets.

Toddy is brought in autorickshaws and jeeps operating from various parts of the State and Andhra Pradesh.

It is alleged that officials are not conducting proper checks.

Speaking to The Hindu, Excise officials, on condition of anonymity, said that illegal transportation of toddy continued in the State despite regular raids at outlets and places known for sale of toddy.

Excise officials from Gulbarga division had informed top officials in Andhra Pradesh about it and asked them to take steps to prevent the smuggling of toddy from their State. They expressed confidence that the officials of Andhra Pradesh would take steps in this direction.

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