Expressing inability to put a ban on country liquor in tribal-dominated districts as the Biju Patnaik-regime had done in early 90s, Odisha government today instead pledged to curb liquor trade in state.
"We do not dare to ban the country liquor in the state now even though I am personally against spread of hooch trade," Odisha's Excise and Cooperation Minister Damodar Rout told the Assembly while replying to a debate on alleged unchecked liquor trade and ganja cultivation.
Rout, who was a minister in the Janata Dal government headed by Biju Patnaik from 1990-1995, recalled how the then chief minister sacrificed excise revenue generated from country liquor. "Biju Babu put a ban on the country liquor in tribal areas after a group of women prevailed on him to do so," he said.
Stating that key to development of tribal population lies in total prohibition in their areas, the Excise minister said: "Pouring money in tribal areas for development has no meaning unless there is total prohibition in the areas." Rout said as many as 266 liquor shops have been closed and steps are being taken to ensure that there is no liquor outlet close to the National Highways.
"I am informed that there are some (about 2100) liquor shops near schools and temples. I am taking steps to shift them," the minister said.
On rampant ganja cultivation in the state as alleged by the opposition members, the minister said: "Maoist undertake Ganja cultivation in certain areas in the name of naxalite movement." He said the state government had so far burnt ganja plantation worth above Rs 900 crore and empowered the district collectors to damage such cultivation.
The eight districts like Angul, Deogarh, Sambalpur, Rayagada, Phulbani, Gajapati, Malkangiri and Boudh have been identified as the places where illegal ganja cultivation was going on, the minister pointed out adding that high level committees have been formed to stop such cultivation.
Initiating the debate, Congress Chief Whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati highlighted how the liquor traders from outside the state run country liquor outlets in tribal areas. "Tribal families are shattered due to free flow of liquor in their areas," Bahinipati said seeking eviction of such liquor points from undivided Koraput district and other remote areas.
"Illegal liquor is now available like chocolates in village shops. A section of people who get cheap rice at the rate of Re 1/kg used to purchase liquor by selling away the grains given to them under PDS," Bahinipati said.
BJP's Pradeep Purohit and B B Harichanda, said "Most of the youth suffer from liver and kidney problems due to excess consumption of liquor and die early."
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