Nagpur, 25 July

(HS): Minister for Finance, Planning, Special Assistance and Rehabilitation

Adv Ashish Jaiswal has recommended a review of liquor ban in Gadchiroli. He has

written a letter to the Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who is also holds the

State Excise Minister.

The demand was

raised by Dr Pramod Salve, President of Tribal and Backward Classes Action

Committee, Gadchiroli. Dr Salve quoted the growing illegal liquor trade in Gadchiroli

due to the ban. Youth and even school-going children are being involved in

transporting liquor into Gadchiroli. With the transportation, the youth and

children also started consuming liquor.

Dr Salve also

stated in his representation to the Maharashtra Government that spurious liquor

is being sold in Gadchiroli, resulting in deaths of tribals and youths. Road

accidents are also increasing in the district.

Adv Jaiswal has

recommended that the government’s decision to impose a ban on liquor in

Gadchiroli should be reviewed, like the Chandrapur decision. The letter was

forwarded to Ajit Pawar on Friday.

Although

prominent social workers had supported the liquor ban in Gadchiroli, the

side effects are more dangerous than the positive impact of imposing the ban. Gadchiroli

is a popular district for tourists at international level, because of its dense

forest and wildlife. The tourists prefer to stay at Chandrapur because of the liquor

ban in Gadchiroli.

With the initiative

by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Gadchiroli is experiencing development at a faster pace.

Business houses are expected to visit the place in large number in the coming

years. For them, liquor may be made available at hotels and rest houses, which

is possible only after lifting the ban. This is possible only after a review of

the decision to ban it.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar