Telangana Excise STF to get weapons for crackdown on drugs, illicit liquor: Jupally

Hyderabad: Prohibition and Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao has announced that the Telangana government is prepared to equip Special Task Force (STF) teams with weapons, if required, to strengthen enforcement against ganja, synthetic drugs, illicit liquor, and non-duty paid liquor (NDPL).

He also called for the identification and training of officials who excel in excise enforcement.

Crackdown on drugs and illicit liquor

Krishna Rao directed officials to focus on the manufacture, sale, transportation, and use of ganja and synthetic drugs, and called for inspections in industrial areas like Nacharam and Cherlapalli where illegal production is suspected.

Monitoring irregularities in liquor trade

The Minister flagged illegal operations on single bar licenses, and urged special surveillance on farmhouses, wine shop sitting rooms, vacant rice mills, and other high-risk areas. Authorities were also instructed to explore legal ways to use seized non-duty paid liquor.

Black Jaggery for Organic Fertilizers

Rao asked officials to study black jaggery production and sale, and prepare guidelines to provide seized black jaggery to farmers for making organic fertilizers.

Dasara Preparations and Revenue Measures

Excise Commissioner C. Harikiran reported a drop in excise revenue and said assessments are ongoing at all stations. Enforcement Director Shahnawaz Qasim confirmed plans to strictly enforce excise laws ahead of the Dasara festival, ensuring curbs on illicit liquor and drug sales.