03 August,2016 08:20 AM IST | | Dharmendra Jore
This may be a bitter pill to swallow. A state legislator wants all his colleagues to give up liquor and take an oath in the legislature that s/he would not consume alcohol anymore, however hard the temptation
This may be a bitter pill to swallow. A state legislator wants all his colleagues to give up liquor and take an oath in the legislature that s/he would not consume alcohol anymore, however hard the temptation.
Reminding his colleagues of the prohibition in Bihar, NCP MLC Prakash Gajbhiye said the 243 legislators in that state had vowed on March 30 to stay away from alcohol.
After moving a calling attention motion in the legislative council yesterday, Gajbhiye said prohibition in Maharashtra's Chandrapur, Gadchiroli and Wardha districts had made the locals happy. He blamed consumption of alcohol for growing crimes against women and children.
"If Bihar can do it, why can't we do it? There are 288 members in the lower house and the upper house has 78 elders. If we decide to not drink, it will send a good message out to the people," Gajbhiye told mid-day.
He said Maharashtra ranks third in crime rate in the country. "In rape cases, Maharashtra is ranked fourth in India. And, in most cases, the accused were under the influence of alcohol."
The MLC demanded that the state ban alcohol before the monsoon session comes to an end. "We should forego the revenue that the sale of alcohol generates and ensure that the crime rate is reduced in Maharashtra."
Ruffling feathers
A senior MLA told mid-day that Gajbhiye's suggestion could give an impression that all legislators consumed alcohol. "And, even if we have colleagues who drink, I'm sure they do it in private. Has there been any instance in which an MLA or an MLC created a ruckus or molested a woman under the influence of alcohol?" he asked.
Another MLA said forcing them to take such an oath will amount to breach of privacy. "Ban alcohol if there is a consensus on it, but don't force prohibition down our throats."
