Despite stiff opposition from the people, the State Government is increasing the number of liquor shops everywhere. In the Adivasi areas, shops are being opened without permission of the panchayats, said Milita Odisha Nisha Nibaran Abhiyan leader Padma Charan Nayak on Wednesday.
At a function held at PMG Square here on occasion of former Chief Minister late Nabakrushna Chaudhry’s birth anniversary, demanding implementation of the Odisha Prohibition Act 1956 and total prohibition in the State, the speakers said while water is not available, liquor is flooding the villages, for which many families have been destroyed.
In the last five years, despite frequent requests to the State Government and submission of 10 lakh and five lakh signatures on the Gandhi Jayanti in 2014 and 2016, respectively, the Government is taking ambiguous measures. So, women should take part in the elections and defeat the ruling party candidates in the panchayat polls.
Nearly 3,000 women took oath to have liquor-free panchayats and a liquor-free Odisha. Former MlA and Gandhian leader Padma Charan Nayak presided over the function. Among others, Sarvaseva Sangh president Mahadev Bidrohi, social activist Baidehi Panda, Swami Bhabhanruta Nanda of Anand Marg and many others also spoke.