Prohibition "continues" even as govt promotes liquor sales

Amitabh Shukla

New Delhi, August 15

Even though the Gandhian ideals have been forgotten a long time back by those in power, there is one legacy which still continues in Delhi government - the Department of Prohibition.

Ironically while the Excise Department continues to devise ways and means to increase the sale of liquor in the Capital by planning to decrease the age limit and increase the working hours of the bars past midnight, the Prohibition Department of the same government tries to control the habit of drinking. "There is an inherent contradiction as one department of the government practically promotes drinking while the other tries to control it," said an official of the Prohibition Department.

According to the officials in the department, the Budget outlay of Rs 1.20 crore per annum is too little to check rampant alcoholism in the Capital. "Except for advertising and informing people about the ill-effects of liquor, we hardly have any function," admitted an official. He described the role of the Department as "advisory" and said they have no powers to check the trade in liquor.

Despite the meager budgetary support, the Prohibition officials have identified their spots to take their anti-drinking message across. These are colleges and the resettlement colonies. "Through our message we try to convince the college students and those from the poor sections how liquor destroys their family, body and soul," said a senior official.

The Department has also realised the futility of advertising in south Delhi. "Our target is not there but in the resettlement colonies," said another official. But isn't two wings of the government (Excise and Prohibition) working at cross-purposes? "This should be the concern of the government," said the officer, adding, "it is only because of lip service to the Father of the Nation that the Department has not been abolished". (2004)