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Gandhians oppose liquor permits in Gujarat

Manas Dasgupta

Chambers, Industry welcome move to offer bulk permits

GANDHINAGAR : The Gujarat Government's decision to relax the prohibition policy so as to encourage industrial development in the State has drawn flak from the Congress. While business and industrial circles have by and large welcomed it, Gandhians feel it can lead to scrapping of prohibition in Gandhiji's Gujarat.

"Money is not the only important thing, values must be respected in life, but this Government can do anything for the sake of money," a Chunibhai Vaidya, Gandhian, said.

A "Government resolution" released by the Home department, has said people from outside Gujarat attending national and international conferences, seminars and such other business and academic meetings, would be issued "bulk permits" to consume liquor at "private places." The organisers of such conferences will be required to file an application with the district prohibition officers,but "local residents," who reside anywhere in Gujarat, would not be covered under the permit.

The Government has also decided to allow the easy flow of liquor permits to anyone above the age of 21 living within the limits of the "special economic zones" which, even otherwise, are deemed to be "foreign territory" for the purpose of tax calculation.

There are only two SEZs in operation in the State, but sanctions have been received for 33 more.

Industry and tourism sectors have for long been demanding a relaxation in the prohibition policy in the SEZs and for national and international conferences. They felt foreign delegates were reluctant to visit Gujarat because of the strict prohibition policy.

Tourism promoters were complaining that though the State had many attractions, the tourist flow was low.The Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Arjun Modhvadia, however, felt that relaxation for SEZs would adversely affect industrial progress. It would increase demand for land within the SEZs for construction of residential colonies and defeat the main purpose of setting up them up, he felt. The failure to strictly implement the prohibition was already contributing to the deterioration of law and order situation in the State, he said. The Gujarat Chamber of Commerce, the Ahmedabad Management Association and several industrial and business organisations, however, described the decision as a major step towards encouraging industrial progress. The Chamber president, Pankaj Patel, claimed that relaxation would further encourage foreign investments in the State while AMA president Rajiv Vastupal said that it was in tune with the basic concept of the SEZs being treated as foreign zones. The rules governing the areas should also be suitable for foreigners.

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Gandhians oppose liquor permits in Gujarat

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