Now, excise department to launch rehab programme for bootleggers
ALLAHABAD :With the aim of helping those bootleggers who wish to be part of the mainstream society, the excise department has decided to launch rehabilitation programme for them, said district excise officer SB Modwell.
Under the programme, the department will conduct their counselling. It will also take help from wwthe social welfare and other concerned departments, Modewell added. The officer said the programme was likely to be launched in April.
“There are many of them who want to quit the illegal trade and join the mainstream of the society. However, due to lack of opportunities, they are forced to return to the same business,” Modewell said.
“The excise department is serious for their rehabilitation and proposal will soon be forwarded to the higher authorities in this regard,” he added.
Many families have been involved in the illegal trade for many generations now. They find it difficult to opt for any other work.
“Most of the time, excise teams find same persons involved in the illegal hooch trade when raids are carried out,” he added. Many villages on the banks of the Ganga and the Yamuna are notorious for manufacturing and sale of illegal liquor.
The bootleggers set up illegal units in remote wetlands making it difficult for excise teams to carry out raids.
Even women and children are part of the illegal business. They most often get addicted to the spurious liquor causing serious health problems and early deaths.
However, due to lack of jobs and agricultural opportunities women have no other option to earn a living.
The district excise officer said despite being repeatedly booked for the same offence, bootleggers were back to the business once out on bail.
EVEN WOMEN AND KIDS ARE PART OF THE ILLEGAL BUSINESS. THEY GET ADDICTED TO THE SPURIOUS LIQUOR