Sun Mar 23 11:23:04 UTC 2025: ## Chittoor District Intensifies Crackdown on Illicit Liquor
**Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh – March 23, 2025** – Chittoor District Collector Sumit Kumar announced a renewed crackdown on illicit liquor production and consumption under the Navodayam 2.0 initiative. Speaking to the media, Mr. Kumar emphasized that the production, sale, and transportation of illicit liquor are criminal offenses punishable under the Preventive Detention (PD) Act.
The initiative targets 52 villages identified as hotspots for illicit liquor activities. These villages are categorized based on the type of activity: eight in Category A (production and sale elsewhere), 17 in Category B (local production and consumption), and 27 in Category C (smuggling).
To combat this, the administration will hold regular meetings with various departments including police, Excise, Revenue, Forest, and Panchayat Raj. Increased surveillance, especially in forested areas, will be conducted by village revenue officers and assistants. The Excise and Prohibition department will increase its village visits, focusing on regulating the production of black jaggery, a key ingredient in illicit liquor.
Public awareness campaigns, including street plays and public displays, will be launched with the help of NGOs. The public is urged to report any illicit liquor activity via the toll-free number 14400. The Collector has directed enforcement staff to conduct regular raids and take legal action against offenders.
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