Prohibition in the state has merely served to replace authorised liquor traders with bootleggers and home delivery of the ‘contraband’ item. Prohibition has also been an economic disaster for the poor state, which has been losing Rs.5,000 crore or more annually. The vast majority of the people put in jail for defying Prohibition are ironically again from the disadvantaged sections of the people. Experts also fear that a disproportionate amount of time, energy and resources have gone into enforcing Prohibition. Official records suggest that about four lakh litres of liquor have been seized, 60,000 vehicles impounded and penal action taken against 6,000 police and excise department officials taken for their alleged connivance with illicit liquor peddlers.Liquor is of course freely available at a price. The draconian provisions have come in handy for the police and others to settle scores and a large number of innocent people are alleged to have been framed. Not surprisingly, the list of violators almost totally excludes people in politics, bureaucracy, judiciary, police, medical professionals and other influential sections, a majority of whom are known to be fond of their daily tipple.Porous borders with Jharkhand, West Bengal, UP and Nepal have also helped script the obituary of the Prohibition Policy. Liqour smugglers have come up with innovative ideas to hoodwink law enforcing agencies and one such technique involves the use of ambulances, which are known to have used to transport sand in the state, to carry the contraband.
Source link
