Health in mind, Punjab village bans energy drinks

SANGRUR: A village panchayat in Punjab's Sagrur district has banned energy drinks as part of a broader campaign to protect the health of its youth, reports Bharat Khanna.

The 10-member panchayat of Uppali village includes four women. The panchs are aged between 30 and 42 years. Some have studied only up to matriculation, while some are graduates. The decision was taken unanimously, said sarpanch Jangir Singh.

The panchayat has adopted a resolution that anyone who violates the ban will face social boycott. Shopkeepers have pledged their support. Large banners announcing the ban have been put up at every entry point of the village. Jangir Singh explained that the move began with a simple appeal to shopkeepers. "Initially, we started by requesting shopkeepers to stop selling energy drinks. At first, some expressed concern about losses, but they soon agreed, recognising the larger benefit for children's health," he said.

The trigger for the ban was the realisation that many drug addicts were mixing narcotics with energy drinks, said Singh. The small community was alarmed. "Moreover, doctors have been warning about the ill-effects of these drinks on children. They were being sold in large quantities," added the sarpanch.

Beyond energy drinks, the panchayat passed several other strict resolutions. No one caught selling or consuming drugs in the village will receive community support for bail or release. Medical shops have been directed not to sell syringes without valid authorisation, and violators will face legal action.