JMM MLA hits out at Jharkhand govt over home delivery of liquor

The minister, while speaking at the winter session of Jharkhand Assembly, launched a scathing attack on CM Hemant Soren over the idea of selling liquor in Jharkhand.

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MLA from Borio, Lobin Hembrom, strongly opposed the state government's policy of allowing home delivery of liquor in the state.

The Chhattisgarh government started the home delivery of liquor in the state through online sale during the coronavirus-enforced lockdown in 2020.

While speaking during the winter session of Jharkhand Assembly on Wednesday, the JMM MLA launched a scathing attack on CM Hemant Soren and said, "Shibu Soren worked against drug and alcohol addiction throughout his life.Even today, he teaches society to stay away from these things. It is a shame that his son Hemant Soren, who is the chief minister of Jharkhand, is making a policy to sell liquor here on the models of other states."

He was also disappointed with the appointment of Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited(CSMCL) as a consultant. "I have written to many MLAs about this. While the father [Shibu Soren] is advising people to stay away from alcohol, the son [Hemant Soren] is getting it delivered at homes," he said.

While hitting out at the government over choosing liquor distribution as a revenue-generating move, the MLA said that Jharkhand is full of wealth. There are many other options to generate revenue from. "At least 36 per cent of the total population of Chhattisgarh drinks alcohol, while in Jharkhand, only 6 per cent of the population is into it. Therefore, Chhattisgarh's policy can't be successfully implemented here," the MLA said in the Assembly.

It is not the first time MLA Lobin Hembrom has gone against his government. In the past, he has also raised his voice against illegal sand transportation.

READ | Woman, lover arrested for duping hotelier in Fort Kochi