How to control liquor?

Liquor is one of the human weaknesses. Muslim and Christian rulers in India gave it a fashionable status. Gradually from being considered a sin it became a fashion and a status symbol. Both the poor and the rich consider it a necessity to cope up with their physical and mental strain respectively.

It is shameful that governments which should impose ban on liquor have been sustaining on revenue from liquor.  Tomorrow one may think of getting more revenue by permitting free market for drugs.

Also read: “Manu’s Symbols”

The ills of liquor regarding health, finance, relationships, crimes are well known. But the poor and the rich will not accept a total ban of liquor.

So the best alternative is permitting liquor making only in private sector with freedom to fix their prices. Governments may raise taxes every year as they did in the case of cigarettes. Simultaneously a campaign against liquor should be started as was done in the cases of quitting smoking and adopting family planning.

Liquor generates revenue for government but deterioration in public health as a result of it and consequent expenditure on treatment is more even in terms of money.

Also read: The Accused

Welfare can be in providing mid day meal in schools, free education upto 12th class, free consultation and surgery in hospitals and one limited free meal of one item like sambar rice/ kichidi in the evening on the production of Aadhar card which will be recorded in a computer. Pension for old and disabled who cannot earn their livelihood may be continued. All other welfare schemes and reservations must be scrapped. Loans for higher education may be provided to all the deserving students.

Also read: Social Animal