Friends,

As world is suffering from Covid-19 pandemic, Odisha along with entire India is suffering from Liquor menace for many decades. Villages have been destroyed, families have been shattered and entire generation have been paralyzed due to this unwanted but forcibly injected virus i.e. Liquor in our society. In Odisha it takes a terrible shape. Almost every day print, electronic and social media all across are filled with reports of Liquor menace. As liquor shops were closed due to lockdown in the last 2 months, we witnessed an encouraging trend. Not a single death was reported due to liquor and crime imposed on society due to liquor reduced to “Big Zero”. As a result happiness returned to thousands of families and villages. This lock down exposes the much discussed myth that people will die of spurious liquor if government doesn't allow licensed one.

But all these happiness faded away soon after Odisha Govt declared liquor delivery by online. Soon after the start of online delivery of Liquor, deaths, accidents, domestic violences and other criminal activities are reappearing. Left with no options, many women groups came forward at several places to protest against this liquor availability.

For many years Odisha Govt claims that it is getting a huge revenue from liquor which is another myth. Rather Government is losing money. It can be ascertained from 3 basic points – 1. Odisha Govt is getting a meagre amount of just 3% of its entire annual state budget from Excise, from which liquor is a part only. 2. Tekchand Committee, in its report earlier said, to get one rupee from excise revenue government is bearing 100 rupees in return as related loss. 3. If we think logically, the money meant to be spent on liquor will be spent on other items which will also generate tax for government. Else money will be saved, that will also add synergy to economy. So all we can say that Liquor only has been the instrument in the hands of power mongers to exploit the vulnerable youth of Odisha.

Sambhaba, a odisha based social organization believes only way left to come out from this situation is a complete ban of liquor in Odisha. So Sambhaba, demands for immediate ban on liquor in Odisha and to implement complete prohibition act of 1956 by ex-CM Nabakrushna Chaudhury. Also, It urges people of Odisha across the globe to unite against this social evil. Please sign the petition here.

To know in details about the issue please do connect to us. We require support and cooperation of every like-minded Odia anywhere in the world.
Namaskar.