Members of the Milita Odisha Nisha Nibarana Abhiyan (MONNA), an organisation fighting for total prohibition of liquor and drugs in the State, on Thursday decided to stage a rally in front of the Assembly here on Friday protesting against the State Government’s policy of rampant expansion of liquor sale network.
Addressing a Press meet here, MONNA convener Padma Charan Nayak, a freedom fighter and a former MlA, said the MONNA has tried its level best in sensitising people about prohibition of the narcotics substances in the State by organising various programmes in as may as 23 districts in four phases. “Our awareness programmes will continue in the left-out districts,” he said.
The people of different districts have supported the cause for total prohibition, but the Government is taking steps for growth of business of liquor and other intoxicant materials on the plea of getting more revenue, Nayak rued.
Through the protest rally, Nayak said, the outfit would try to exert pressure on the Government to take immediate steps for total prohibition. The protestors would meet Finance Minister Pradip Amat after the rally and submit a memorandum in this regard, he added.