The Manav Adhikar Surakshya Manch (MASM) has demanded that the State Government declare Odisha as liquor-free State with effective from April this year.
At a meeting held on the occasion of the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi here on Saturday, MASM Coordinator advocate Abani Gaya questioned while States like Gujarat and Bihar have already declared their respective States as liquor- free, why the Odisha Government is scared to do the same. He demanded implementation of the liquor Prevention Act-1956 keeping the public perceptions and interest in mind.
The Manch further alleged that the State Government is giving rise to the sale and consumption of liquor everywhere in the State in the name of revenue generation. The State Government in nexus with liquor mafias is promoting liquor sale at the cost of the precious lives of the general public, the Manch further alleged.
Since consumption of liquor is the root cause of all crimes and inhuman activities, the Government should immediately ban manufacturing and sale liquor in the State, said Manch president Upendranath Mishra. Secretary Maguni Nahak also spoke.