'It's anti-youth, anti-social', ABVP opposes reduction in liquor rates in Himachal Pradesh

 

 

Shimla, February 20: Opposing HP new excise policy adopted by the state that has reduced liquor rates to certain extent, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad has termed the it to be anti-youth and anti-social. The government has also approved keeping bars open in star rated hotels till 2 am. 

 

The state cabinet in its meeting chaired by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Monday gave its approval to the new excise policy which extended operational timings of bars in all star rated hotels and bars in specified important tourist areas from noon to 2 am. The policy also approved reduction in the price of liquor.

 

 

In a statement issued here on Wednesday, ABVP state secretary Rahul Rana cornered the state government for adopting double standards on the issue of eradicating of drugs from the state. "On the one hand, the government claims to make the state drug free and on the other hand it has reduced liquor rates and approved opening of bars till 2 am. The number of accidents will increase and crime rate will further rise after making liquor cheaper and opening bars till 2 am", he said.

Demanding an immediate withdrawal of the new excise policy in public interest, the ABVP state secretary added that the ABVP has been opposing anti-social and anti-youth decisions of the government from time to time. Himachal pradesh cabinet on Monday gave its approval to the excise policy for year 2020-21 which envisages collection of Rs 1840 crore revenue during the yeat which is Rs 215 crore higher than 2019-20 thereby registering an increase of 13 per cent.

 

Approval was also given for the renewal of retail excise vends in the state for the year 2020-21 with an objective to gain adequate enhancement in governmnet revenue, reduction in the price of liquor and to curb its smuggling from the neighbouring states. ABVP seemingly has failed to catch up the said objective.