The Milita Odisha Nisha Nibarana Abhijan (MONNA) gheraoed the residence of Excise Minister Niranjan Pujari on Friday demanding withdrawal of two recent Government orders to boost liquor sale and consumption in the State.
According to the agitators, the Government has directed the district Collectors to give permission for opening temporary counters for sale of wine during festivals and different ceremonies like marriage, while Excise officials have been asked to spot areas where wine shops have not been opened to open such shops. This is an attempt to make wine sale and consumption widespread which will increase crimes like violence against women, rape and murder, they alleged.
CM Naveen Patnaik has proposed to keep the word ‘Ahimsa’ of Mahatma Gandhi in the preamble of the Constitution. But ironically, his Government is encouraging liquor consumption in the State, they lamented. MONNA president Padma Charan Nayak, secretary Kanhubhai, Malaya Tripathy, Khageswar Bal, Arjun Samantray, Ramsankar Bhai, Kailash Mallick and Aparna Nayak among others were present. They informed that the agitation will continue till the orders are withdrawn.