Liquor will be banned after study: PCC Chief

Raipur, Jun 28: Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee President Mohan Markam today made it clear that he was not in favour of complete liquor ban in the state. The list of promises made by Congress during last assembly elections came to light as soon as Congress Government completed two and a half years of its term in the state. Ban on liquor was one of the promises made by Congress. The opposition is constantly reminding Congress government of its promise on this issue while Ministers in the state government are avoiding answering opposition questions.
Talking to Raipur Press the PCC Chief Markam said that 60% area of the state is tribal dominated. He said that he himself comes from this society. Liquor is important custom in tribal society, he said. For the past few years, Mahua flowers have been used in place of liquor in ‘Tarpan’, but the importance of alcohol is considered important in other rituals too. In such a situation, it is his personal opinion is that complete ban on liquor is not possible in the scheduled areas.
According to him the government can implement ban in other areas if it wants. The PCC chief also said later, the party is with the government’s decision on this matter. According to Markam, ban on liquor is part of the manifesto of the Congress and that it will definitely be implemented. The government has formed a committee to this end, he said, adding that committee will soon submit its report after studying the areas where alcohol is being used. Subsequently the government will take a decision on this, he said. He said Congress had made 36 promises in last assembly elections and completed 24 of them. Remaining promises will also be completed in the next two years, he added.
While liquor has been prohibited in Gujarat and Bihar on ground this ban on liquor does not exist, said the PCC chief, adding that liquor home delivery services started in these states. According to him people are dying because of illicit and spurious liquor. ‘But we do not want this to happen in Chhattisgarh also. Therefore, prohibition will be implemented after a complete study’, he added.