Opposition slams Punjab government for flawed liquor policy
India Today
The new excise policy announced last week by the Punjab government has kicked off a controversy in the state.
The new excise policy announced last week by the Punjab government has kicked off a controversy in the state. In the new policy, the state government has made efforts to provide alcohol at cheaper rates to booze lovers.
The new excise policy, which has been cleared by the State Cabinet, will come into force from July 1. The state government claims that the new policy will curb the liquor mafia, check illegal sales, besides adding an additional revenue of Rs 3400 crores to the state exchequer. The liquor prices are expected to come down by 35 to 60 percent. Interestingly, once implemented, the alcohol rates in Punjab will be cheaper by 15 percent as compared to neighbouring Haryana.
The opposition BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) have levelled serious allegations against the state government .There are allegations that people who do not hold any constitutional posts, including a Delhi-based liquor baron, were present in a meeting in which the new liquor policy was being drafted.
Akali Dal spokesperson Dr Daljit Cheema alleged that people who do not hold any constitutional posts were seen in this meeting. He demanded a probe into the allegations. He further said that if the allegations are true and the liquor contractors were indeed drafting the policy, they will ensure their best interests and will also finish the small traders.
"I don't know who is guiding them. Even each bottle of liquor has a warning that consumption of liquor is injurious to health. Now they are spending public money to tell people that liquor has become cheaper. They seem to have turned a blind eye towards the ill effects of liquor and how it will affect the health system. Who will pay for the treatment? They should have consulted the doctors. The government should tell the people that revenue is not more important than health," Dr Daljit Cheema said.
Senior BJP leader Vineet Joshi expressed the apprehension that the consumption of liquor will have an adverse impact on the family life of the people of the state.
"The new liquor policy shows the double face of the government. While on one hand the AAP government has been running a de-addiction campaign, it is also promoting alcohol sale on the other. This will not only lead to health risks but will also jeopardize family life," said Vineet Joshi.
