GUNTUR
: Stating that
liquor
consumption has come down by 16 percent within three months of launching reforms in the liquor policy, deputy chief minister K Narayana Swamy said that the state government was committed to implement prohibition in a phased manner.
He, however, said that creating awareness was crucial before going for complete
ban
on liquor sales. Deputy chief minister Narayana Swamy inaugurated Madya Vimochana Prachara (prohibition campaign) committee state office here on Sunday. Committee chairman V Lakshman Reddy presided over the meeting.
Addressing the meeting, Narayana Swamy said that chief minister Y S Jaganmohan was determined to bring prohibition in the state. He said that the government had removed all belts shops within a month of coming into power. He warned of serious consequences if anyone tried to sell illicit liquor.
He said that they have cut down retail shops and bars by 40 percent to reduce
consumption
of liquor. He said that trimming of timings of liquor shops and bars had already influenced many to say no to
alcohol
. He said that liquor was ruining millions of lives of poor people as they were spending huge monies of their hard earned monies on consumption of liquor.
He said that money saved from quitting consumption of liquor could be utilized for betterment of the lives of children and family. He asked the prohibition campaign committee to tour the entire state, particularly slums, and take up awareness programmes.
District collector I Samuel Anand Kumar said that they would extend full support to the activities of the campaign committee as giving up liquor habit would play a big role in economic development of the weaker sections.
He said that fruits of the welfare schemes would reach the poor families only when the breadwinners keep away from liquor consumption.
Committee chairman Lakshman Reddy said that they have readied a blue-print to take up aggressive campaign against liquor consumption. He said that they would take assistance of NGOs in taking up the campaign.
Janachaitanya Vedika vice-chairman Dr Vijayasaradhi said that setting up of de-addiction centres would be very helpful in implementation of prohibition. He said that the government support would be required in setting up the de-addiction centres.
He said that handling people who suddenly gave up liquor was also very important to keep them healthy. Municipal commissioner Challa Anuradha and senior officials of excise department were present during the occasion.
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