Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 15: Different social and trade organisations today resented the Government decision regarding sale of beer in departmental stores by holding protest demonstrations, here.
Beopar Mandal, led by President Gurmeet Singh and District general secretary Congress held a strong protest against the Administrative Council decision regarding sale of beer, RTD beverages in departmental stores, grocery shops, provision stores etc.
Addressing the protestors, Gurmeet Singh strongly criticized and condemned the Council’s decision which was taken under the chairmanship of the Advisor RR Bhatnagar and Chief Secretary Arun Kumar and expressed apprehensions that after this decision, the departmental stores start selling wine under the table and we all are familiar with this fact that there in increase in the drug addictions post removal of JK statehood.
The Beopar Mandal urged the Prime Minister, LG Manoj Sinha to revoke this order as the Govt had already opened so many wine shops in Jammu. “If Govt wants to collect and generate revenue, the Government should re-start Darbar move, due to which the traders will save their business,” they asserted.
Jammu and Kashmir Border Area Development Conference (JK-BADC) has strongly objected to the decision of the Administrative Council headed by Lieutenant wherein the Council has recommended an amendment in excise policy to allow sale of beer and other alcohol based drinks through departmental stores in the Union Territory.
Dr Shazad Ahmed Malik, chairman of JK-BADC and former Vice Chancellor said youth of J&K will not allow such sale of alcoholic based drinks in departmental stores as it is not only against the traditional, culture and religious values of J&K but it would also result in socio-economic impact on the population of J&K.
The former VC said his organization would adopt all democratic and legal ways to oppose this anti-youth decision of the Government in allowing sale of alcoholic based drinks in departmental stores.
He asked the Government to find out other ways to collect revenue and taxes and not play with the health and future of the youth and children.
Mission Statehood Jammu and Kashmir, led by Sunil Dimple held a protest demonstration at Janipur road and burnt the copies of Administrative Council’ decision wherein the Government decided to sell beer, RTD beverages in the departmental stores, grocery and provision stores.
He said that the Govt is opening the same stores in rural villages with the permission of DCs, which will also spoil the atmosphere of the rural areas.
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