The Jana Chaitanya Vedika has demanded the implementation of prohibition in both the Telugu States, in phases.
At a round table at Visakhapatnam Public Library on Monday, the speakers expressed concern over the rising alcohol consumption by the youth. Vedika State president V. Lakshmana Reddy said the revenue need not be generated only through the sale of liquor and that government should explore alternative sources of income as a liquor-free State alone could pave the way for a healthy society.
Citing statistics, Mr. Reddy said the excise income had touched ₹40,000 crore from a mere ₹100 crore in the united Andhra Pradesh in 1970.
Terming the prohibition a constant endeavour, Dravidian University former V-C K.S. Chalam said it’s not limited to a few round tables and the government should consider liquor ban seriously, taking concrete steps on the lines of Gujarat and Bihar.
Domestic violence
Instead of a total prohibition, the speakers demanded a ban in phases as families continue to shatter because of alcohol abuse. “However, there should be a time frame for the same as the ban is aimed at improving the quality of life as many spend a large portion of their income on alcohol. This has led to a significant rise in domestic violence and crime rate as those under the influence of alcohol tend to be insensitive towards family members,” said V. Balamohandas, former V-C of Acharya Nagarjuna University.
Removal of belt shops, establishment of de-addiction centres in each Assembly constituency, initiation of intense campaigning against alcohol abuse in cinema halls, prevention of liquor sale in all places except in star hotels and introduction of breath analysers at toll gates were some of the demands the speakers at the meeting laid emphasis on.