Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise Nishant Kumar and Director of Enforcement Rahuldev Sharma have intensified efforts to eliminate illicit liquor from Andhra Pradesh as Navodayam 2.0 moves into its enforcement phase. In a high-level video conference on Thursday (April 03) with Station House Officers, Assistant Commissioners, and Deputy Commissioners of the department, they reviewed the progress made so far and laid out a stringent action plan for the next stage.

Navodayam 2.0 is a five-phase initiative designed to completely eradicate the menace of ID liquor. The program aims to prevent its production, storage, and consumption while educating communities about the severe health and financial consequences. Special emphasis is being placed on preventing the economic burden on low-income families caused by medical expenses linked to illicit liquor consumption. The initiative also seeks to provide alternative livelihoods for those involved in the illicit liquor trade, ensuring they have opportunities for dignified employment. The success of this mission depends not just on government action but also on active participation from families and communities.

In the preparatory phase, the Prohibition & Excise Department, in coordination with Revenue, Police, Forest departments, and NGOs, carried out a massive awareness campaign. Village and mandal-level committees were formed, and grama sabhas were conducted with village elders to create awareness about the ill effects of ID liquor. Special vehicles, known as prachara rathams, were deployed across the State to publicize the campaign and spread awareness about the toll-free number 14405, encouraging people to report illicit activities anonymously. Kala Jathas were organised across the State, with 378 street theatre performances conducted so far. Additionally, two short awareness videos explaining the dangers of ID liquor have been extensively broadcast on social media, cable television, and in cinema theatres.

Since the launch of Navodayam 2.0 on February 19, 2025, the department has recorded significant progress. A total of 2,273 awareness programs have been conducted in ID liquor-prone villages, with 80,601 people participating. The department has identified 1,100 jaggery merchants, placed 10,049 individuals under bindover, and registered 1,181 cases, leading to 1,118 arrests. Enforcement teams have seized 57,575 litres of illicit liquor and destroyed 2,80,063 litres of fermented jaggery wash. Additionally, 1,682 kilograms of jaggery has been confiscated, 56 vehicles have been seized, and 52 jaggery merchants have been booked, of whom 23 have been arrested.

During the video conference, Mr. Nishant Kumar and Mr. Rahuldev Sharma stressed the need for completing all pending awareness activities without delay. With Navodayam 2.0 now moving into the enforcement stage, the focus will be on crime reduction.