Lifting of Chanda liquor ban prompts similar debate in Gadchiroli

NAGPUR: Lifting of the six-year-old liquor ban in Chandrapur district has triggered a debate around the suitability of a similar action in tribal-dominated Gadchiroli. In 1993, liquor was banned from Gadchiroli following a prolonged mass movement.
State relief and rehabilitation minister and Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar has now stated his intention to lift the liquor ban in Gadchiroli too.He was the key force behind revocation of the prohibition order in Chandrapur earlier this week, which had been brought into force by the preceding BJP-led government.
Wadettiwar said the liquor ban in Gadchiroli was being supported by activists driven by vested interests. “These social workers do not have the masses’ support and have not contributed in any way towards the progress of the district,” he said to a media channel.
“The guardian minister must constitute a committee to assess the ground situation and try to pay heed to the public opinion on the ban,” Wadettiwar said in the interview.
Padma Shri and Maharashtra Bhushan Dr Abhay Bang said Gadchiroli, Wardha and Chandrapur constituted a zone where liquor was banned. “The prohibitions in the three districts were introduced following a lengthy mass movement as men got drunk and women suffered. The tribal people of Gadchiroli and Chandrapur had demanded the liquor ban for the protection of women and welfare of their families,” he said.
Bang, who is the founder of ‘SEARCH’ NGO in Gadchiroli, added that surveys showed there was a reduction in the consumption of liquor by 70%, saving around Rs80 crore of the tribals’ money every year. “The prohibition was enforced in Chandrapur only half-heartedly. In order to earn Rs200 crore revenue, the people of Chandrapur will now be made to cough up Rs2,000 crore through legal and illicit liquor sale,” he said. Dr Bang and his team had been vigorously campaigning for an alcohol-free society in the tribal district.
Activist Devaji Tofa, who had championed the gram sabha movement in the district, said lifting the ban would only fill the coffers of the politicians and liquor businessmen but will do no good to the tribal. “The women would face the brunt of liquor being freely available,” he said.
Senior Congress leader Saguna Talandi said liquor consumption is an established tradition in tribal culture, especially during crucial events and celebrations. “Illicit liquor trade and black-marketing is increasing. There is least domestic violence in the tribal society under the influence of alcohol,” she added.
Former medical officer at the Gadchiroli government hospital and incumbent BJP MLA Dr Deorao Holi said black-marketing of liquor is a genuine issue. “A study group must be formed to analyse the implementation of the liquor ban and its outcomes,” he said.