So, talk of the town
specially in my city of stay is "Closure of Pubs/Bars" in Pub Capital
of the country. Just to give context to the folks who may not be aware, there's
a ruling from Apex Court of India to relocate or close the Liquor Houses (be it
pub, bar, shop or star property) within 500mt to any Highway. As a true
citizen, I respect and will abide by it.
However, what are we
trying to achieve out of this? In a country where people can drive for miles to
save few pennies on gasoline, will people be discouraged if shop is slightly
off from their routine drive? Will you stop drinking ? Will it stop crime? Or
does drunken driving happens only on highways?
Real pity is on
"Star Properties" and "Outlets in the CBD" of a city which
ideally is not highway. Star properties have majority chunk of foreign
travelers who for sure will be cutting off from the properties which don't
offer liquor leading to a big hole on their top line. In age old city planning
their might be few roads that were listed as highways decades back and are now
part of CBD. Shall we not de-notify them and reclassify?
Let's have a look at
countries that BANNED LIQUOR. They are:
Bangladesh, Brunei,
Iran, Libya, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen and so on.
Are we trying to be
one of them? By the way, we also have liquor prohibition in the state of
Gujarat, though I heard about few drunken driving cases there as well. Few
other countries also tried their hand on this, however soon realized
irrelevance to any good to the society as people will start engaging into other
means like substance or other harmful drugs.
Is there any
correlation between drinking and crime? I am yet to find one.
Change of mind-set
is the need of hour, not movement of liquor shops from one area to another. Try
investing in educating, giving employment, make them responsible citizens which
will pay in overall development of the economy.
Just wondering who's
the beneficiary?
State : Loss of
revenue
Citizens : Need to
travel more searching the shop
Crime : Doesn't seem
to come down
Trade : At loss
Beneficiary : GOD
Knows…
Just a thought!!
Disclaimer: I am not
promoting any hotel, liquor shop or any other liquor manufacturer. #liquorban
#liquorprohibition #noliquoronhighways
