Sludge Watch ==> Filthy River Sludge Used to Make Hooch - Sludge: Not Just for Breakfast Anymore

[Maureen Reilly]

Sludgewatch Admin:

Hmm...using contaminated river water to make hooch.  The Indian Gov't says 
it is dangerous and illegal.
Looks like the kind of project the North American wastewater industry likes 
to call "beneficial use".

Sludge: "Its not just for breakfast anymore".

..................................................................................

Yamuna sludge for making hooch

Amitabh Shukla

New Delhi, December 1, 2006













Advertisement






Excise officials following the MCD's sealing squads have stumbled upon some 
unpalatable truths about illicit liquor manufacturing: it is being made 
using the polluted water of the Yamuna river.
Why dirty water? According to an arrested liquor peddler, this is because 
the polluted water is suitable for fermentation.
Following the MCD teams to shops in non-conforming areas, the Excise 
officials also discovered that the dealers and manufacturers of illicit 
liquor have spread their operation in several parts of the city.
When a person running an illegal liquor-manufacturing unit was caught in 
east Delhi, Excise officials were surprised to learn that he was using the 
waters drawn from the Yamuna in the manufacturing process. The peddler told 
the officials that the river water was highly polluted and ideal for 
fermentation. A case has been registered against the dealer under the Excise 
Act.
"Cases of liquor smuggling and hooch peddling have increased recently," 
admitted AK Walia, Delhi Excise Minister. He however, hastened to add that 
vigilance too has been increased and the Excise Intelligence Unit booked 326 
cases in the last month. "The figure is more than double from the 
corresponding period last year," the minister added.
The increased activity of liquor smugglers and arrests follow the closure of 
around 30 of the 505 liquor shops in the city. By January 31, almost 40 per 
cent of the government liquor shops will have to relocate to commercial 
areas.
The minister admitted that it was a tough call opening new shops. "There is 
opposition from the local MLA whenever we propose a new shop in an approved 
commercial place," said Walia. The minister said that providing safe liquor 
was also the government duty.
"We cannot open liquor shops in slum clusters, unauthorised colonies and the 
rural villages, but these comprise more than half of Delhi population," he 
said. Asked about the action plan in view of the closure of shops and 
increased smuggling and manufacturing of illicit liquor, Walia said 
increased vigilance and relocation were the priority for the government at 
present.
Email Amitabh Shukla: ashukla at hindustantimes.com