On the eve of the 150th Gandhi Jayanti, the Keonjhar Citizens’ Forum on Tuesday wrote an open letter to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, expressing deep concern over the menace of country liquor and the mushrooming of Bhatis in the tribal district.
The forum highlighted the socio-economic impact of liquor consumption on life of the Adivasi people in the district. Adivasi people are traditionally used to Handia- a household brew prepared from fermented rice which works as a food supplement having nutrition as well as mild intoxication. With the passage of time , the State Government's permission to open increasing number of country liquor Bhatis has ruined the poor tribals who are under complete spell of liquor, it said.
Adivasi people are known for hard work and simplicity but they are now picking up fights on any petty matter, being under the impact of liquor, it added.
In Keonjhar, there are now 32 Desi bhatis, owned by people outside the State, mainly the Bihari people.18 years ago,the number of such bhati was four in the district. With the use muscle power , the owners of bhatis are marketing the country liquor in the villages dominated by the adivasis. When country liquor packed in pouch is available in the village pan shops, the poor tribals find an easy access .
Under such circumstances, the forum made a fervent appeal to the CM along with the Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal to stop the rampant growth of desi liqour Bhatis, which will ultimately bring down liquor consumption in the district.