DO WE NEED A BAR TO SATISFY THE APPETITE FOR ENTERTAINMENT?

Adding to the stress quotient of numerous families, count of Bars and Liquor outlets across A&N Islands are on a rise. Ironically the Govt promoted Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO) playing harbinger is leaving no stone un-turned to further boost the already rocketing liquor sale in these Islands. Conversion of its lone Green Shop at Delanipur to a liquor outlet is a glaring example of how the Corporation's priorities have changed over a period of time.

 Unfortunately it did not stop with creating that eyesore. According to a report carried in a leading daily, ANIIDCO has invited Expression of Interest for development of 1 hectare land at Mohanpura into a commercial zone comprising Shopping Complex, Two-screen Miniplex, Hotels, Restaurants, Bar, Banquet Halls, Conference Rooms, Gaming zones etc. While there is no disagreement that islands need such avenues, but certainly that does not mean one more Bar could be thrust-upon in the guise of satisfying the city’s appetite for entertainment.
Top view of the project site where a Bar among other thins is being planned
Being first of its kind the proposed complex will have tremendous appeal attracting swarm of visitors including women folks and children. Thus having a Bar integrated in the project at a location surrounded by Schools (Govt SSS Mohanpura on one side, St Marys on the other), Govt Offices (namely APWD, Fisheries HQ, Electricity HQ, Transport HQ, RTO, Workshop Division, ALHW), Banks, Police Motor Transport, Bus depot, Private Truck depot and a host of other public utility services would negatively impact the general ambience besides projecting the otherwise novel venture in poor light.

According to available data count of Bars including wine shops and liquor outlets in A&N Islands has already hit the three figure mark. Effect of having such a huge constellation of Bars is causing rampant alcoholism, increased incidence of unnatural deaths including lives lost in road accidents, broken families, suicides, physical abuse of family members particularly womenfolk etc. The latest report on Accidental Deaths and Suicide released by National Crime Records Bureau reveal A&N Islands during 2012 recorded suicide rate of 23.6 (above all India rate of 11.2) thus ranked fifth among States and UT’s. Significant portion of these deaths occurred due to family problem attributed to drug abuse/addiction.
Miss V K Mariam Bibi, ZP Member speaking on the occasion

NCW in its report - A situational analysis of Women and Girls in A&N Islands, flagged rise in alcoholism in islands as a major factor contributing to domestic violence and a plethora of social problems. Local public and NGO’s have been protesting against liquor trade in these islands. Humane Touch, a Wimberly Gunj based NGO during March 2013, organized one day Token Fast and signature campaign at Bambooflat Jetty to mobilize public opinion and press for closure of Bar in the area. PRI members, prominent citizens including women folks lended support by signing the Memorandum circulated at the venue. Interestingly good number of those addicted turned up to voice their concern against Alcoholism; the mother of all evils. The memorandum appended with more than 1400 signatures has since been submitted to the concerned authorities.
ANIIDCO wine shop and its patron
at Prem Nagar

A&N Administration need to step in and curb growth of liquor trade in the islands by reducing “the supply” made through ANIIDCO. Also the rule provisions for renewal of existing Bars and Liquor outlets needs to be made stringent and enforced strictly. The “Gram Sabha” under PRI could be authorised to decide whether a bar or liquor outlet should come up in their locality or not. Even for renewal concurrence of Gram Sabha could be made mandatory. Atleast there can be a halt in addition to the list of Bars and Liquor outlets.

As regards ANIIDCO which has nothing other than collaborating in a sailing program as its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) need to wake up and smell the coffee. The corporation being the exclusive licensee for distribution of liquor in these islands, its CSR initiative ought to include spending a portion of sale proceeds from liquor trade in making the masses aware of the ill effects associated with consumption of alcohol. It ought to fund De-addiction centres so that those willing to kick the bottle could do so and get rehabilitated. Further since the corporation has its umbilical cord in A&N Administration, it must also strive to cater to the section of society outside liquor trade as well. To start with let ANIIDCO restore the Green Shop its lost glory and add a leaf to its CSR initiative.

 This post was carried in Echo of India, a leading daily in its Port Blair edition dated : 19/09/2013

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