Letter to Prime Minister, Chief Minister - Reg National Liquor Policy

From:                                                                                                                                   22-1-2016, Chennai

Senthil Arumugam,
General Secretary, Satta Panchayat Iyakkam,
31, South west boag road, T.Nagar, Chennai-600017
Cell: 8754580274

To:
The Prime minister of India,
Newdelhi

Respected Prime Minister of India,

Sub:   Regarding  National policy on Prohibition & Tamilnadu’s stance on it…

Liquor consumption is creating huge social problems in Tamilnadu.  In the National Family Health survey  data(2015-2016)  indicates that men consuming alcohol in the age group of 15 to 49 years has increased by 5.2% to 46.7% when compared to 2005-2006. Liquor sales revenue to Tamilnadu Govt (2003-2004: Rs.3639Crores,  2014-2015: Rs.26188) evidentially  proves the raise in liquor consumption in Tamilnadu. In the recent trend School students, College students are also getting addict to Liquor.  Women and Children are the most affected victims of this issue.  Hence, the demand for liquor prohibition is becoming a major social issue in Tamilnadu. Various civil society groups including ours sent representation to Tamilnadu Government conducted agitations, fast demanding Prohibition. A senior social activist called Gandhian. Sasiperumal  lost his life in a protest venue.

In this background, we bring to your attention about the replies given by  Electricity & Prohibition minister of Tamilnadu Mr.Nattham Viswanathan in Tamilnadu Assembly on 21.01.2016. When the opposition party members raised the voice demanding  for Liquor Prohibition, the minister replied as following(reproduce from newspapers):

“….He(the minister) said if the Centre decides to implements the policy across the country and Compensates the resultant revenue loss for the states, Tamilnadu would be the first to welcome the move” – THE HINDU: Page 5, Chennai Edition Dated 22.1.2016

“…I am not saying that it(Prohibition) is not possible, we will be the first to do it if the Centre brings Prohibition at a national level and compensates revenue loss”  - TIMES OF INDIA, Page:8, Chennai Edition Dated: 22.1.2016

“… The party would consider prohibition if the Centre imposed a nationwide ban on Alcohol” – Page 3, Deccan Chronicle, 22.1.2016

From these news reports of the reply given by the Minister in Tamilnadu Assembly, you can very well understand that Tamilnadu is ready to implement Liquor Prohibition, if it is implemented as a National policy & Compensation is given to states which will incur revenue loss.

In this context, We Satta Panchayat Iyakkam, a Civil Society movement fighting against Corruption and Liquor propose the following for your consideration:

1.       Central Government should announce a policy on compensating to revenue loss incurred to states which comes forward to implement prohibition (Like Tamilnadu). We have precedence for this. Govt of India has announced such compensations in early 1960s to promote prohibition.

2.       Form a committee to analyze and give report on implementing Prohibition as a National Policy. Opinion of all the states should be heard by this committee. We bring to your kind attention that, in 1954 The planning commission of India setup a such a "Prohibition Enquiry Committee" to prepare a program on Prohibition on  National basis.

3.       It is to be noted that, already Kerala has  announced to implement Prohibition in 10 Years. Tamilnadu is ready to implement Prohibition. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are affected very much due to Liquor.  Considering this, Central Govt can start to hear the opinion of these states first. Due to the existing conducive situation, South India can be considered as the first region to implement prohibition.

You are hailing from a state which implements Prohibition for a longperiod. You very well know the advantages of it. Hence we request you to take serious steps to implement Nationwide Prohibition.  We are also sending a copy of this letter to Chief Minister of Tamilnadu requesting her to officially write to you expressing Tamilnadu’s interest in implementing Prohibition. We hope that she will do it.

Thanks,

Senthil Arumugam, General Secretary

Attachments:
1. Newsreport from “THE HINDU: Page 5, Chennai Edition Dated 22.1.2016”

2. Newsreport from TIMES OF INDIA, Page:8, Chennai Edition Dated: 22.1.2016

3. Newsreport from “Deccan Chronicle, Page 3, Chennai Edition,Dated:  22.1.2016)

Copy to:

1.       Chief Minister of Tamilnadu

2.       All Medias