PUNE: In a declaration announced at the liquor-free Maharashtra Conference held on Sunday, the anti-liquor activists set a target of complete eradication of illegal liquor (including wine). The activists also decided to conduct a special campaign against liquor made out of foodgrains.

The action plan comprising formation of a public commission for a liquor-free state was also declared on the occasion. Earlier, convener of the conference Dr Narendra Dabholkar reviewed the policies of both central and state governments on liquor, since 1960, which is prominently pro-liquor and aimed at revenue generation. 

Activists from various districts of the state participated in the conference and unanimously decided to form a common platform for the cause. Vasudha Sardar read out the declaration.

“A complete liquor ban is not possible, a fact which has been accepted world over. However, we can aim at eradication of illegal liquor and control over the legal sale of liquor. As far as voting for closing of a liquor shop in a village is concerned, sanction by 50 per cent women from a village before opening a new liquor shop is necessary. The gram suraksha samiti (village security committee) should be given authority of conducting the panchnama of illegal liquor,” she said.

Dr Hamid Dabholkar of Parivartan De-addiction Centre, Satara; Vilasbaba Javal from Satara and Girish Fonde from Kolhapur expressed their views on the issue. Activists Sulbha Bramhe, Giridhar Patil, Kishanbhai Gordiya, Dr Abhijit Vaidya and Dr Anant Phadke were present at the meeting to support the cause.

THE AIM

“A complete liquor ban is not possible. However, we can aim at eradication of illegal liquor and control over legal sale of liquor,” said activist Vasudha Sardar