Authorities Impose Aadhaar Requirement for Jaggery Sales at Medaram Jatara
During the Medaram Sammakka Saralamma Jatara, authorities have imposed restrictions on the sales of jaggery (bellam), requiring sellers to collect a photocopy of the buyer's Aadhaar card and mobile number. This festival, which occurs biennially in various regions of the state along with Medaram, sees devotees offering large quantities of jaggery to the deities Sammakka and Saralamma as a form of worship.
The demand for jaggery significantly increases across the state during this period, leading traders to stock up on large quantities of jaggery for the festival.
The demand for jaggery significantly increases across the state during this period, leading traders to stock up on large quantities of jaggery for the festival.
This year, the imposition of restrictions on jaggery sales by the Excise Department has caused inconvenience to both traders and devotees. There are calls for the removal of the mandatory Aadhaar requirement.
However, officials state that this decision was taken as part of efforts to curb the production of illicit liquor, as buying jaggery in large quantities could potentially be used for the manufacture of country liquor.
However, officials state that this decision was taken as part of efforts to curb the production of illicit liquor, as buying jaggery in large quantities could potentially be used for the manufacture of country liquor.