The decision of the Union Government to stop supplying liquor to CRPF personnel has not gone well with the armed forces veterans here. The ex-servicemen of the State are also not happy with the increase in excise duty of liquor due to which it is dearer by 30 percent in the CSD canteens now.
Citing adverse effect on health the CRPF had recently decided to stop unit level purchase of liquor. Interestingly the Union Government has also made Yoga compulsory for all the personnel of Central para military personnel.
These orders seem have dampened the spirits of the CRPF personnel. One such personnel posted in Delhi said that the order is nothing but an infringement in the personal lives. His views were supported by majority of the ex servicemen here.
Brigadier K G Behl (Rtd) said that restricting liquor in the armed forces would be opposed by all.
Raising the issue of increase in excise duty in liquor in the state, Brig Behl said that the State Government should reverse its decision.
The fallout of the State Government's decision is that the prices of liquor in the CSD canteen have increased while rates in the market are at previous levels.
It is worth mentioning here that the Jawans are entitled four bottles of Rum or whisky at subsidized rates in CSD canteens while a JCO can purchase six and an officer can avail up to 10 bottles per month.
When asked about the incidences of alcoholism in the armed forces, prominent psychiatrist Major Nandkishore (Rtd) accepted that the cases of alcoholism in armed forces are somewhat higher but added that situation is not alarming.
He said that tough service conditions coupled with fact the majority of jawans are away from their families, many armed forces personnel turn to alcohol.
Maj Nandkishore said that the armed forces have proper system which put checks on the incidences of boozing among its personnel.