Hundreds of Congress workers under the leadership of District (city) Congress Committee president Vikas Upadhyay, on Monday pledged for total ban on liquor, at Gandhi Maidan. Holding effigy of liquor, the Congress workers marched to Buddhapara dharna venue and burnt the effigy there.
Upadhyay said that the agitation would be continued until a total ban on liquor in the State and through public awareness, would fight to save society from this evil. In the days to come, health camps will be organised by the sides of all liquor shops in the city, where health examination of those who come to purchase liquor will be conducted and they will be informed what diseases have gripped their body due to consumption of liquor.
He said that it was a matter of shame that the State Government recovered 25 per cent VAT on petroleum products, whereas, on liquor on 7 per cent. The shallow-mindedness of the Government could clearly be seen that it slaps higher VAT on daily use articles like petrol and only nominal tax on liquor that hollows the society.
The Congress leader said that addition has gripped the youths of the State today and full credit goes to Chief Minister Raman Singh. Most of the families destroyed due to liquor. In the days to come, most of the youths could be seen under the grip of liquor and nitro-ten, he added.
The generation is ruined because of addiction but the present government has engaged in making liquor as its main source of income. The government has been trying to sell more liquor by making new schemes and target has been set to recover Rs 3,000 crore income from it in the next financial year.
It is clear that the government in collusion with contractors has been making efforts ruin the society. Even after protests of various organizations, liquor shops were being run without any hindrance with the syndicates of BJP leaders and liquor contractors, he alleged.
Former minister Vidhan Mishra, Suryamani Mishra, Mahendra Chhabra, Mahesh Sharma, Gyanesh Sharma, Anwar Husain, Anis Ahmad, Bhojkumari Yadu, Asha Israel Joseph, Srikumar Menon, Rekha Ramtek and other leaders accompanied Vikas.