Telangana Govt exploiting liquor consumption habits, allege NGOs
Telangana | Written by : Suryaa Desk
Although sales of liquor have become a top revenue generator for the State government, families of the poor are becoming the worst affected through its rampant sale.
According to recent findings, consumption of liquor is more by the daily wagers in slums, because of which many families are facing financial problems. In addition, women are widowed between the age of 18 and 35. And, children are facing psychological problems.
Sandhya of Progressive Organisation of Women (POW) said that consuming alcohol is a social, economical, political and cultural issue and is affecting families, women and children, which are more in the rural areas and in the urban slum.
“Government should take some measures to control the consumption of liquor. People have their own weaknesses, but the government should not try to exploit those,” she asserted.
Sandhya added that as per statistics, 72 per cent of the poor families are run by women and 36 per cent of the women are the head of the family as the men are dying at the age of 45 because of alcohol consumption.
Madhu Babu of Prajaswamya Parirakshana Vedika (PPV) said that the liquor consumption is affecting the education of the children and many are going in a trauma as they are not treated well in the society.
A member of All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), Hymavathi said that the consumption of liquor is more in the slums and cheap liquor is been encouraged by the government which is affecting the lives of women and children. She further said government is not taking steps to stop liquor usage.
Meanwhile, Prohibition and Excise Joint Commissioner, Ajay Rao informed that about Rs 12,000 crore worth revenue was generated from liquor sales in 2015-16. “To bring down the consumption of alcohol government is implementing many programmes in collaboration with NGOs and some agencies,” he said. “To support women and children and protect their livelihood, the government is setting up rehabilitation centres for people affected by liquor utilization,” he added.