The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Ramadoss flays prohibition policy

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Friday, Mar 09, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Ramadoss flays prohibition policy

Special Correspondent

Says it is no different from that of the AIADMK regime

CHENNAI: Pattali Makkal Katchi founder leader S. Ramadoss has criticised the State Government for its justification in running liquor shops in the State.

"The Government's prohibition policy is in no way different from that of the previous AIADMK Government."

In a statement here on Thursday, Dr. Ramadoss said it was not proper for the Government to say that illicit liquor would flow in the State if Indian made foreign liquor shops were closed.

"If the Police department is ready to act as per my directions, I shall see to it that there would not be a single drop of illicit liquor in the State. If there is a will there is a way."

The Chief Minister's statement that the revenue through excise and ST from liquor had increased substantially and would double in the next five years, was not something to be proud of. It was the poor people and their families whose lives were being ruined. For every rupee earned through excise and ST on IMFL, they were shelling out Rs. 3.

Welfare schemes

Again, it was unfortunate to say that the Government was able to implement welfare schemes, thanks to revenue earned through liquor. If the Government was seriously interested in making people teetotallers, then it should create a congenial atmosphere.

Gujarat example

Dr. Ramadoss cited the example of Gujarat, where there was prohibition.

That Government had announced a Rs. 16,000-crore scheme for improving infrastructure in rural areas. How was it possible for Gujarat to implement welfare schemes, he asked.

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