The Hindu : Kerala News : Stringent action sought

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 23, 2007
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Kerala

Kerala

Stringent action sought

Kerala has emerged as a frontrunner in per capita alcohol consumption, which is stated to be the cause of 70 per cent of the road accidents in the State and a growing pattern of domestic violence, among other ills. What should be done to stem the trend? Our readers respond:

Stern action

A total or partial ban on alcoholic drinks is impossible in Kerala. Under such circumstances, stringent action should be initiated against drunk drivers. Unfortunately, some of the law-enforcing officers also drive in a drunken state. Who will take action against them?

Excessive drinking is most dangerous and is responsible for most such casualties.

C. George Varghese

Thrissur

Impose tax

No Government is sincere in its efforts to check alcohol consumption as it generates revenue by way of tax. Many accidents in the State are a result of drunk driving. Steps should be taken to create awareness among the people on the ill effects of alcoholism.

The Government and social organisations should organise awareness campaigns.

O.B. Nair

Poonithura

Permit mandatory

The best way to tackle the problem is to involve the grama panchayat and municipality in the licensing of liquor shops in the State. The liquor licence should be issued only on specific recommendation of the local bodies.

The local bodies should have the authority to disallow permission to establish liquor shops in the whole or any part of its area.

The State Government and local bodies should do their bit to create public awareness of the hazards of alcohol consumption.

K. Rajasekharan

Mulagunnathukavu

Tackle the problem

Kerala's fundamental problem is its make-believe situation. Kerala has not fulfilled the aims of social progress in a healthy way. Good education and fair health indices have given the population access to a better lifestyle. But the mindset of many is yet to change.

Yet, the kind of better living standards here become unsustainable, as people dislike hard work. Alcoholism is one way in which the problem manifests in men.

Devraj Sambasivan

Alappuzha

Serious problem

It is ironical that the most literate State tops alcohol consumption in the country. Drunk driving is a serious problem in the State and results in hundreds of accidents.

The licence of drivers should be revoked along with a mandatory jail sentence. There is also a correlation between alcohol consumption and domestic violence. Education and public awareness campaign will help reduce alcohol-related casualties and social ills such as domestic violence.

K.A. Solaman

Alappuzha

Stem the trend

To stem the trend, the price of all brands of liquor should be increased by five per cent every month. Those found guilty of drunk driving should be fined heavily. Exorbitant licence fee for outlets selling liquor would deter many from drinking The State Government should take steps to stem the problem.

P. George Daniel

Kochi

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