Panel to enforce dry law in Gujarat recommended

The lawyer, Amee Yagnik, who was appointed amicus curiae by the Gujarat high court in the 2009 hooch tragedy case, has submitted her recommendations for strict implementation of prohibition in the state. 

She has suggested setting up a coordinating committee with members from other government departments besides the police, to implement prohibition in the state. "It is not the job of only the police to ensure strict implementation of the law. Other departments of the state machinery have to be roped in," she has suggested. 

Talking to DNA, Yagnik said that departments such as health, transport, law, police, and social justice and welfare have to join hands to ensure that the law is not only implemented but offenders are also punished. 

"First of all, the transport department and the police department should together check the smuggling of liquor. The health department should come up with a policy or tool-kit to test seized alcoholic drinks for substances that may have side-effects, while the social justice department should spread awareness about prohibition," she said.

She further said that she had suggested that the legal department should ensure that offenders are punished. Yagnik had submitted her recommendations in connection with the suo motu proceedings initiated by the Gujarat high court in 2009 after the hooch tragedy.