“Enforce #LiquorProhibition in Jharkhand” Convention

24 February 2020, Hazaribag: A convention has been organized under the joint auspices of Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra and Hazaribag District Lok Samiti with support of Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation, Mumbai.  Mrs. Sarojini Devi (Pramukh, Sadar Block) was the chief guest on this occasion who supported to complete prohibition of liquor in Jharkhand and raised the issues of liquor-money oriented Lok Sabha-Legislative Assembly-Local Bodies elections and liquor trapped school children. She appealed the women to adopt cow rearing or daily wage instead of making or selling liquor and to ensure anti narcotic medicines for their alcoholic family members. She warned for a big show against liquor in the state capital and urged the Government of Jharkhand to close Liquor Prohibition & Excise department.

Before this Mr. Girija Satish (National President, Lok Samiti) has introduced the theme and said that liquor is a major hurdle against development of any person-family-society-country which deserves to be prohibited. He informed about a signature campaign by Lok Samiti against liquor, requested the audience to make it an election issue as we need representatives who can oppose liquor.

Mrs. Renu Devi (Mukhiya, Singhani Panchayat) was in favour to oust liquor from our homes at first due to rising crimes around us. Dr. Vishwanath Azad (SHARC, Hazaribag) insisted for continuity in anti-liquor campaign and Mr. Awdhesh Pandey preferred to make each family free from liquor. Mrs. Geeta Devi from Lakhe village dared to say that about 90% families of her locality are engaged with liquor making/selling/taking and she demanded to ban Mahua & pouch immediately. Mrs. Pramila Devi (Oriya village) said that liquor making is a way of earning for many families and they need alternative livelihood to leave it.  Mrs. Meena Devi shared about the campaign against liquor at Tatijhariya village. Community initiatives against liquor on the occasions of marriage, social gathering or festival can bring significant result; Mr. Arjun Yadav suggested. Mr. Sunil Pandey asked for a liquor shop near Katkamdag police station as the shop became a center of criminals of the area. Mr. Krishna Kumar Saha (Officer In-charge, Women PS, Hazaribag) made it very clear that liquor is the single factor behind 80% cases of women atrocity reported at women police station.

Mr. Satish Girija (President, Jharkhand State Lok Samiti) thanked all invitees-participants and expressed commitment to make Jharkhand free from liquor. The convention has passed resolutions of a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Jharkhand after completion of signature campaign against liquor, a large scaled program against liquor at Ranchi, letter of appreciation to local volunteers active upon liquor prohibition campaign, Govt. purchase of Mahua, no liquor at home during festivals and demand to state government for passing a strong law on liquor prohibition in Jharkhand unanimously.