Commercial Tax Minister Amar Agrawal on Wednesday ruled out total prohibition in the State as the Chhattisgarh Government has already initiated steps to prevent the sale of spurious liquor.
Replying to a question raised by Congress member Sankar Dhruv and others during the Question Hour, the minister said it was because of the crackdown launched by the government, the sale of liquor was on rise. The Congress MlA wanted to know why the sale of liquor increased in the state despite closure of at least 335 liquor shops. Agrawal said the sale of liquor was on rise at the licensed liquor shops. He, however, ruled out the need for imposing a total prohibition in the State.
The minister said from 2010 to 2014, the Government has closed down at least 355 liquor shops in the state. Despite the closure of the shops, the consumption of liquor was on rise, he admitted. He clarified that it was because of the measures taken by the government the illegal sale of liquor has been on check. Describing the measures Government has taken, he said during the last three year, thousands of cases related to illegal liquor sale have been registered. Besides non bailable warrants are being issued against the shops who keep more than five bulk litres of liquor
large numbers of people have been booked under this provision, he said. Citing the number of people against whom actions have been taken, he said in 2011 actions were initiated against 14476 persons. Similarly actions were initiated against 16155 and 14480 persons in the year 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 respectively. When Dhruv asked if there was any plan to impose total prohibition, he said the government has no such plan.
Congress legislator Satyanarayan Sharma alleged sale of spurious liquor was rampant everywhere. The youths and children are becoming the target of this liquor and the government should take strong action against such sellers. The Chhattisgarh Government implemented partial prohibition in the State from April 1, 2011. Prior to the partial prohibition there were 706 country liquor shops and 348 foreign liquor shops.