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ShareAhmedabad: The hooch tragedy in Gujarat claiming over a hundred lives took several twists and turns as Vinod Chauhan, the main supplier of the killer brew, turned out to be an employee of a school and ironically also ran a dairy cooperative. Instead of supplying essential health requirements such as milk which promotes growth, he ended up killing people by supplying country-made liquor. The motivation is very clear: the price margins of alcohol easily beat the margins of milk.
Then, Vijay Mallya, the premium alcohol manufacturer, stirred a hornets' nest by recommending that Gujarat lifts the 50-year ban. To lift or not to lift the ban is a debate that has been going on in Gujarat for several years now. Economically speaking, the state exchequer is losing crores of rupees on account of a loss of excise duty. On the other hand, liquor is anyway readily and freely available across the state. So, is the ban really serving its purpose?
Results of a national survey in the US showed a high level of public support for most liquor-control policies. More than 80 per cent support restrictions on liquor consumption in public places such as parks, beaches, concert venues and college campuses. Eighty-two per cent support an increase in liquor taxes, provided the funds are used for treatment or prevention programmes. More than 60 per cent support liquor advertising and promotion restrictions, such as banning billboard advertising, promotions at sporting events, and liquor and beer advertising on television.
The consumption of alcoholic beverages is known to increase the incidence of many social disturbances. Drunken-driving accidents leading to the loss of innocent lives, unintentional crimes of rape and molestations are often committed under the effect of alcohol; drunken brawls and assaults; domestic violence and wife beating; uncontrolled sexual experiments; and chronic conditions such as cirrhosis of the liver sometimes leading to death are some other examples.
Youngsters experimenting with liquor may result in impaired grades at college or they may fall prey to bad company. Cases such as those reported in Surat of filming and selling video-clippings of molestation are often an aberration caused by liquor consumption.
While a ban is an extreme step and many countries have not been able to implement it fully, several policies to control the use of liquor are extensively used by all developing and developed countries. The minimum drinking age, testing alcohol levels in the blood of drivers and other such polices have decreased liquor-related problems in society.
The youth and business community in Gujarat do feel the acute lack of a hep and happening environment such as in Bangalore, with its bustling roadside pubs. Besides providing hangout joints, many business transactions can easily conclude in such relaxed environments.
On the other hand, the benefits of the ban can be cited as few cases of drunken driving in the state and women being relatively safe and roaming about freely at night. Whether these social benefits are good enough and can counter the loss of state revenue or the perceived lack of business environment is a matter of statistical discussion. But there is no easy answer to the liquor debate; to impose a ban of this magnitude, it will require another Mahatma Gandhi, whereas lifting the ban can be done by the stroke of one pen.
