Alco-BAN: Is it a move towards LIQUOR PROHIBITION?

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