Decision may evoke strong debates
Maharashtra Government has lifted ban on sale of liquor in Chandrapur district. The decision was taken in a Cabinet meeting on Thursday. The ban has been lifted to control criminal activities, including illegal trade of liquor. The reason has been quoted by the State Cabinet, which is likely to generate heated debate.
Although the demand of lifting the prohibition was being raised by different political parties and other agencies, social organisations were strongly against it. The ban was imposed during Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena Government led by Devendra Fadnavis. Social activist Paromita Goswami has played a major role in pressurizing the then government. She had led a march of women from Chandrapur to Nagpur, when the winter session of the State Legislature was in progress in Nagpur.
Social workers including Dr Abhay Bang, Dr Prakash Amte, besides a large number of women in the district had supported the demand of imposing ban on liquor in the district.
At the same time imposing blanket ban is not the solution to problems faced by the people, particularly women, was argument of another section of people. Maharashtra Minister Vijay Wadettiwar also supported lifting ban on liquor sale in Chandrapur and Gadchiroli.
The decision is likely to result in debates, both social and political. The issue being very sensitive and social stigma is attached to it, openly supporting the decision would be difficult for many.
Illegal trade of liquor and manufacturing of licit liquor in Chandrapur, Gadchiroli and Wardha districts where the ban was in force, was going on openly.
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