Politics over liquor vends heats up

Minna Zutshi

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, May 23

The politics of liquor vends is heating up in the city. The BJP is now preparing a list of liquor vends that are in the vicinity of educational institutions and religious places. BJP district chief Ravinder Arora told The Tribune that the party will take the issue of liquor vends to its logical conclusion – the vends that are flouting rules will not be allowed to operate.

“The district BJP will soon submit a memorandum to the AETC in this regard,” said Arora. He said liquor vends operating in residential areas may not be in contravention of the rules, but they pose a problem for area residents.

Last evening, BJP district chief and other party leaders were up in arms against the opening of a liquor vend in residential area at Madhuban Enclave, near Barewal Road. Arora said: “Liquor vends in residential areas are a nuisance. Women feel unsafe and insecure. The Congress government had promised to curb drugs and alcohol – is this how it is fulfilling its promise?”

Ludhiana West MLA Bharat Bhushan Ashu said area residents approached him with the problem. “Tomorrow, the liquor vend owner and the representatives of the area residents will meet and discuss an alternative site that is suitable.”

Ashu said the Congress party was committed to its promise of discouraging liquor consumption in the state. This time there has been an 8 per cent decrease in liquor vends with no corresponding decrease in the revenue, he said. Madhuban Enclave area residents said the liquor vend in the residential area would pose a serious threat to the safety of women and the elderly. “We oppose the opening of the liquor vend as it will create an atmosphere of fear and insecurity,” said a woman resident.

Arora said his residence was in Flower Dale locality, near Madhuban Enclave. He claimed that he had joined the protest against the opening of the liquor vend as area resident and also in his capacity as a social worker.