‘Begusarai case a warning against consuming hooch’
WARNING Nitish Kumar says no looking back on prohibition but misuse will not be tolerated PATNA:
Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday said there was no need to keep the hooch tragedy at Begusarai under wraps. “Rather, it should be used as an example to make people aware of the fatal consequences of getting ‘home delivery’ of liquor, as spurious liquor may also be supplied by unscrupulous elements,” he said.
The chief minister was speaking at a function on the occasion of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, at Adhiveshan Bhawan here on Tuesday.
Reiterating that government was reviewing the prohibition law to bring about required amendments in it during the forthcoming monsoon session of the state legislature, Kumar said the main objective was to prevent misuse of the law at any level.
“Some people try to misuse the law to amass wealth. I have asked the chief secretary to set up a committee to examine what provisions of the law are being misused. I have also sought legal opinion on the issue,” he said, averring that there was no looking back on prohibition, but its misuse would not be tolerated.
Kumar said liquor business had picked up in neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
“I personally raised it with Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das. People will criminal mindset also live in society and there is need to create greater awareness about it. The advantages of prohibition are to be seen to be believed, specially in the interiors, where family happiness has returned,” he added.
Addressing the function, Kumar rued that, “Some people in the government machinery are taking advantage of the provisions under prohibition law but they are under scanner. The poor and downtrodden, who were earlier engaged in liquor business, have been given alternative means of livelihood and they are happy.”
As per a survey carried out by the Centre For Public and Finance Policy in association with the health department, the number of depression cases has come down by 81%, besides there is also a fall by 77% in anxiety and tension cases, while deposits of 83% people have increased.
The income of 75% people has increased while the health of 86% people improved and there has been a rise in working capacity of 86% people, Kumar said, adding that those engaged in liquor trade in Purnia were offered cows to rehabilitate them.
Listing his government’s achievements, Kumar said despite all-round development in the state, he was of the firm belief that without social reforms all this would mean nothing in the long run.
“Social evils hinder the fruits of development from reaching all sections of society. That is why a campaign has been launched against social evils and the response has been overwhelming,” he added.
Kumar said taking the decision for prohibition was tough, as it involved financial losses of around ₹5,000 crore.
“But when you look at it, the loss is insignificant as compared to the social benefits it has accrued. The savings of common people helped increase household expenditure to return joy on the faces of women and children. Besides, it has reduced diseases and road accidents too,” the CM added. Kumar announced on the occasion that an anti-narcotics task force had also been set up in the Economic Offences Unit (EOU).
Speaking on the occasion, principal secretary, home, Amir Subhani said the increase in number of arrests and FIRs was a big challenge for the government.
Others who addressed the gathering included DGP KS Dwivedi and ADG (EOU) JS Gangwar.
Some people in the government machinery are taking advantage of the provisions under prohibition law but they are under scanner. The poor and downtrodden, who were engaged in the liquor business, have been given alternative means of livelihood...
NITISH KUMAR, Chief minister of Bihar