S.M.A.KAZMI

Indian Express - November 15, 2000

DEHRA DUN, NOV 14: In all probability, the new hill state of Uttaranchal is going to adopt a policy of total prohibition. Uttaranchal Chief Minister Nityanand Swami, who is a known opponent of liquor and had been associated with many anti-liquor agitations in the region, has given indications that the new state will adopt prohibition from the next financial year.

Reacting to the demand of prohibition by women representatives of panchayati raj institutions from all districts of the state -- gathered at an open forum organised by the Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra here today -- Swami said he was all for total prohibition in the new state if he could gather adequate support from women.

The Chief Minister had yesterday made similar pronouncements at the Tehri festival in Tehri Garhwal. Partial prohibition has already been initiated in the hill areas of Garhwal and Kumoan -- which constitute the Uttaranchal state. Also, those who want to consume liquor in the hill districts, excluding Dehra Dun and Udham Singh districts, have to seek liquor permits.

But the fact remains that the permit system has only been in name and liquor still flows freely in the hills. Consumption of liquor has always been an important social and political issue in the hills and the women of the region have always been the ones to launch agitations against the liquor mafia.

Swami said the liquor licenses, which were issued by the Uttar Pradesh government, were valid till March 31, 2001 and after that, the Uttaranchal state government will seriously think of imposing total prohibition despite the precious revenue collection of Rs 150 crore per annum. ``Despite the loss, I would like that instead ofliquor, the people of Uttaranchal drink milk,'' Swami said and added that he would require the full support of womenfolk in this endeavour.

Hitting out at his political detractors, Swami said the liquor mafia had tried its utmost to stop him from becoming the Chief Minister but could not succeed because of his known views on the issue. He said that he was also for a ban on the sale of tobacco and gutka.

He further said that the priority of his government would be to provide education to each and every child and the defaulting parents in this case will not be given their full share of rations.

Copyright © 2000 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.