The Congress has said that the government’s
anti-liquor campaign was sheer deception as despite its so-called efforts to
discourage liquor consumption, its revenue was increasing continuously.
“The government claims that it will reduce liquor
consumption in phased manner. For this, it erected large-size hoardings
carrying photographs of Mahatma Gandhi, Chief Minister Raman Singh and Excise
Minister Amar Agrawal. Still, the Excise department informs that it has
generated revenue of Rs 1199.43 crore in the current financial year till
December 31, 2011 which is Rs 18.27 crore more than the previous fiscal revenue
during same period,” said Congress vice president Kawasi Lakhma, general secretary
Fulodevi Netam and spokesperson Mahendra Chhabda jointly on Monday.
“The figures of Excise department are an eye-opener
for the public and an apparent indicator that the government’s claim about its
anti-liquor drive is false intended to gain cheap popularity,” they added.
“The liquor consumption in tribal populated Bastar
region is equally startling. In 2011-2012, the liquor consumption in Bastar
district (Jagdalpur) has reached to two lakh litres. While according to a
survey report, the consumption of milk per family in this district is only one
litre,” they said.
“It is really shame that the government which
announces to distribute jersey cows to the tribals is more engrossed in
increasing its revenue through liquor sale. It seems the government under a
conspiracy wants to increase liquor sale in tribal region,” they said.
“The government deserves the blame for making wrong
excise policy which is encouraging the illegal liquor sellers and eventually
benefiting the liquor contractors,” they said.
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