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CM urged to crack down on alcohol circulation

By Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Nov 25 � The nascent Madakdraibya Nibarani Mancha, Assam (MNMA) urged the Chief Minister to bring about changes in the Excise Rules of the State and introduce some reforms in the State�s Excise Department. These changes are necessary for the proper development of the State�s human resources and thus accelerating its developmental process leading to restoration of peace, it argued.

A delegation of the Mancha met the Chief Minister at his official residence here last evening and submitted a memorandum to him on the issue.

The delegation comprising Mancha president Maheswar Saikia, vice presidents Baneswar Khound and Pratima Gogoi, general secretary Moloy Barua and member Bubul Dutta said that uninhibited circulation of alcohol in the State for the past three decades has been burdening the social life of the State. This phenomenon is leading to road accidents, family feuds, murder, looting, sex-related violence, irregularities in the Government offices and unethical activities in the hostels of the educational institutions, among others, the delegation said.

The State at this juncture needs an enterprising army of humans and a disciplined social environment to accelerate development of its agriculture, industry and tourism sectors which have high potential.

The Government of Kerala has been initiating steps to turn Kerala into a totally alcohol-prohibited state in phases. Kerala is a comparatively developed state. Another developed state Gujarat has also been restraining use of alcohol.

Assam earned around Rs 1050 crore in 2013-14 fiscal, against the Rs 8,500 crore in that year, as excise revenue. But the rules and regulations of Kerala are such that alcohol cannot lead to any social chaos in that state, contrary to Assam. The adverse impact of alcohol on Assam�s society is such that the State�s social cost related to alcohol is much higher than its earning from excise revenue, the delegation argued.

Giving a patient hearing to the Mancha delegation, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi assured it of some steps to apply the brakes on the present unruly situation in relation to alcohol, said Mancha general secretary Moloy Barua.

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