Women lead ban on liquor consumption in Daregaonwani village

NASHIK: Residents of the tribal Daregaonwani village in Kalwan taluka, approximately 70km from Nashik city, have decided to ban liquor with immediate effect.
Anyone spotted preparing hooch in the village will be fined Rs10,000; those found under the influence will be fined Rs5,000. Moreover, if any man raises his hand on his wife or children under the influence, he will also be slapped with a fine of Rs10,000.A unanimous decision was taken about the ban at a village meeting last Sunday.
Dhanraj Raut, president of the dispute-free village committee, said that a group of nearly 100 women villagers raided the two or three places where illicit liquor was being manufactured by locals. The group destroyed the set-ups by damaging all the material.
Later, they met the sarpanch, Raut and other senior villagers and spoke about their plan to ban liquor consumption and manufacturing there. On the same day, a meeting of villagers was called at the community hall to declare the ban. Almost everyone supported the resolution that was passed.
Raut said that the main concern among the women was the rising rate of addiction among youngsters. While a section of elder people has also been consuming liquor, the number of youths getting addicted has been a worrying phenomenon, they said. So, the women came together and decided on the ban.
Raut said that the population of the village is around 950 and all are from the tribal community. Farming and labour jobs are common occupations of Daregaonwani inhabitants.