Opening more liquor shops constitutionally ‘untenable’: RTI Movement

SRINAGAR:

Jammu & Kashmir RTI Movement has shown its resentment over grant of permission by Government to open dozens of new liquor shops in Jammu & Kashmir. The RTI Movement has demanded that sale of liquor in J&K must instead be banned as  the constitution of India has the said provision.

In a statement Chairman & Founder of RTI Movement Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat said that Alcohol prohibition in India is in force in the states of Gujarat, Bihar, Mizoram and Nagaland as well as in the union territory of Lakshadweep. He said the Government of J&K instead of prohibiting sale of liquor in J&K is allowing its sale at large scale which not only goes against the culture of our people but this directly hurts our religious sentiments as well.

“The directive principles of state policy under article 47 of Indian constitution of India states that the State shall endeavor to bring about prohibition of the consumption except for medicinal purposes of intoxicating drinks and of drugs which are injurious to health. The Directive Principles are not-justiciable rights of the people but fundamental in the governance of the country. It shall be the duty of the State to apply these principles in making policy laws per Article 47. How can unelected Govt’s take such policy decisions ” said Dr Raja Muzaffar

“The decision of the Government to open liquor shops at around 183 newly identified locations in J&K including 67 in Kashmir is totally unacceptable to people of J&K especially people residing in Kashmir valley. Not only Islam prohibits intake of Liquor even Hinduism and Sikhism forbid it. The Govt decision is totally anti people and it would have serious consequences. Opening new liquor shops will destroy not only our culture but it is an anti youth decision as well taken by unelected Govt” Dr Raja Muzaffar added.