It is always a matter of debate whether a ban on alcohol is advantageous or not? For sure, the debate revolves around many aspects, of course including the adverse impact of this entity on citizens’ health. This aspect is the most significant one because no other thing is as important as the well being of the people? However, the consumption of alcohol is not a new phenomenon in our social milieu in our country and also in Jammu and Kashmir. While it is a matter of social perceptions and beliefs, all governments in erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state and thereafter have been presiding over the liquor trade without any reservation or guilt.
Of course, the health factor is quite important but before going for prohibition it is important to consider the other factors as well because any hurry in this matter could dent the local economy badly, especially when the region in centre stage is J&K, which has tourism as one of its mainstays of economy.
The issue came to fore in J&K as three MLAs have introduced bills seeking a complete ban on alcohol.
As reported, PDP MLA from Kupwara Mir Mohammad Fayaz, AIP MLA from Langate Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad and ruling NC MLA from Lal Chowk Ahsan Pardesi have submitted separate private members’ bills for a ban on alcohol. The bills are likely to be tabled in the forthcoming budget session starting from March 3.
Reportedly, official data shows that over 10.5 percent of men in the Union Territory are regular alcohol consumers while the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) has shown that women also drink liquor in J&K although the percentage is as low as 0.2 percent. Both the aforesaid figures belong to residents aged between 15 to 49 years.
Shockingly, the government earnings from liquor sales have skyrocketed by 150 percent in the past decade raising the eyebrows of many including the ones who are seeking a ban on alcohol. Without any doubt, prohibition can improve the health of the people besides lowering the chances of violence, domestic abuse, and public disorder.
It is also undeniable that less alcohol consumption leads to more productivity among the people at work. On the other hand, with alcohol’s production and sale, the government gets whooping revenue, job opportunities for the people and also a broad base of taxes from the ones who earn crores out of the businesses related to liquor.
The ban will also give rise to black marketing of this entity leading to Mafia Raaj and of course corruption besides increase in the chances of hooch tragedies as illicit liquor availability is likely to increase, as seen in states having imposed prohibition.
All said and done, while the health and safety benefits could be significant, the economic and social drawbacks might outweigh them, therefore making it necessary to think a thousand times before going for any such move.
