In a three page letter addressed to JP Nadda, National President, Bhartiya Janata Party on Saturday, former Chief Minister and BJP leader Uma Bharti has demanded a uniform policy on liquor trading in the states where the party is in power.
In the letter she has stated that since March she has been on a campaign on prohibition campaign in Madhya Pradesh as the consumption of liquor has destroyed many homes irrespective of class and financial condition.
In the letter , she has quoted the case of Punjab where the state has gone from bad to worse in terms of consumption of liquor . The people using liquors here as also turned to drugs at a later state. She warned that such a situation is also not too far for Madhya Pradesh where use of drugs will become widespread.
She reminded Nadda that the state government in the new financial year has offered many sops to the liquor consumers which includes a price reduction , more bottle one can buy and establishing a mini bar at home by paying a fee, setting up of ‘Ahaatas’ (open drinking place) near the liquor shop etc. Also, the traders, in order to maximise the same, has started ‘buy one get one free’ offer to increase sales. All this has increased the consumption of liquor in the state and disturbed the social order, she said in her letter.
She further said that she has cordial relations with CM Shivraj Singh and she has raised these issues in different meetings with him. She expects the state government to change the excise policy keeping in mind the above factors and work towards prohibition.