GS1 (Indian society)
Recently Bihar government has put a ban on alcohol consumption in the state. What are the social and economic costs the state may suffer due to the ban? Do measures like alcohol ban prove effective in reforming the society and reducing cases of domestic violence?
Best answer
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Populistic promises like alcohol ban find ample support from women section in the society . Alcohol menace leads to
1. Increased road traffic accidents
2. Increased domestic violence against women
3. Decreased family fortunes
4. Increased health woes
5. Increases crime in society
From TamilNadu ,Gujarat(dry state) to Bihar and Kerala ,govt is resorting to banning alcohol sale in the states to curb this menace arising out of its consumption .But, it has its social and economic costs like – 1.It deprives individual of right to choice and personal liberty.
2.criminalises the activity of sales and leads to bootlegging ,liquor mafias and increased sale of spurious liquor along with corruption eg. Recently 15 people died due to consumption of spurious liquor in Bihar.
3. Takes away precious revenue – Approximately 30000crore was earned in revenues in 2015-16 from sale of alcohol and excise on manufacturing spirits . This income helps to splurge expenditure on social sector like free rice to all ration card holders , financing noon meal schemes in schools and anganwadis.
4.Tourism industry of that particular state takes a hit as it is seen as unattractive to tourists due to such bans for eg. Kerala 5. Disposes people to more harmful addictions of cannabis ,LSD,cocaine ,etc.
6.Its noted that manual labour often take some amounts of alcohol which helps them to do heavy lifting and loading without hampering their working capacity. Alcohol ban may be unwanted for such labourers
Undoubtedly , ban on consumption of intoxicating substances is Gandhian DPSP but, it doesn’t magically transform the society and increases other ills ,domestic violence decreases marginally but families worsen due to spike in consumption of other harmful substances . So way forward is –
1. Find alternate sources of revenue
2.ramp up law and order machinery to check sale of spurious liquor
3.check its sale to juveniles
4.Increase awareness about domestic violence act
5.spreading awareness campaigns and advertisements about ills of alcohol consumption so that individuals monitor themselves rather than the government .
History is against total clampdown on liquor consumption. what govt can do is regulate
rather then introduce a blanket ban.
