Restricting Bar Timings in A&N Islands
Following is the text of
letter submitted to the Deputy Commissioner South Andaman/Excise Officer (HQ) in response to the public notice inviting opinion on the proposed change in bar timings to curb consumption of liquor in
A&N Islands.
Dear Sir
At
the outset I would like to
place on record my appreciation towards the
Chairperson A&N State Social
Welfare
Board
for the concern and its effort in curbing consumption of alcohol in these
islands by suggesting reduction in business hours for serving liquor in bars in
these islands. I would also like to record my sincere gratitude towards the Deputy
Commissioner
(South
Andaman)/Excise
Officer
(HQ)
for putting out public notice through The
Daily
Telegrams
dated Saturday,
November
14,
2015 inviting
opinion from the public on the issue.
Before
going into the issue, I
consider it worth making it clear beforehand that I
am in favour of the proposed change (reduction) in bar timings. I believe the
proposed change in timings by way of reduction of business hours for serving and
or selling alcoholic drinks will certainly help in bringing down consumption of
alcohol in these islands.
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| Indicative image taken from internet |
Now
coming to the issue, since the said public notice calls for opinion
with proper justification, I would like to quote the Constitution
of India
to justify my opinion. Article 47 of the
constitution under the heading Duty of the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of
living and to improve public health says “The State
shall regard the raising of the level of nutrition and the standard of living
of its people and the improvement of public health as among its primary duties
and, in particular, the State shall endeavour to bring about prohibition of the
consumption except for medicinal purposes of intoxicating drinks and of drugs
which are injurious to health.”
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| Advertisement carried in The Daily Telegrams |
One would be tempted to ask : What is health? For an answer to the question, I would like to draw your
attention to the widely accepted definition of health given by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in the preamble of its
constitution. According to WHO, “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social
wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease.” This statement in the recent
years has been widened to include the ability to lead a ‘socially and economically
productive life’. Thus through this definition WHO
has moved health thinking beyond a limited biomedical and
pathology-based perspective to the more positive domain of “well being” and
expanded the scope of health.
Further in CESC Ltd
vs Subash
Chandra
Bose
the Supreme Court of India brought the right to health under the preview of Article 21 wherein the right of
life and personal liberty is prescribed. Thus, the right to health, along with
numerous other civil, political and economic rights, is afforded protection
under the Indian
Constitution. Thus onus
is on the state to give citizens a life as prescribed and guaranteed by the
constitution.
One may also argue that
restrictions on sale of liquor would encourage black marketing besides causing
loss of revenue. As far as black marketing or bootlegging is concerned, it is purely a law and order issue which the enforcement
agencies are well qualified to deal with. As far as loss of revenue is concerned, I would like to quote Mahatma Gandhi from the September 21, 1947 edition of Harijan wherein Bapu wrote "...It is criminal to spend the income
from the sale of intoxicants on the education of the nation's children or other
public services. The government must overcome the temptation of using such
revenue for nation building purposes. Experience has shown that the moral and
physical gain of the abstainer more than makes up for the loss of this tainted
revenue. If we eradicate the evil, we will easily find other ways and means of
increasing the nation's income."
In light of the opinion of Bapu, Constitutional provisions, Supreme Court ruling and the well debated, documented and widely
accepted ill effects of consumption of alcohol on human health (as defined by WHO) and the society at
large, I urge the concerned
authorities to take all steps necessary to limit consumption of alcohol in
these islands. Further, while supporting the proposed reduction of business
hours for serving liquor in bars (6 hours between 5 PM and 11 PM), I request that business hours for ANIIDCO run liquor outlets
also be restricted to match with that of bars (5
PM to 11 PM) so that none is able to take advantage of the system. I am
sure such a step would bring down consumption of alcohol, and the society
specifically the younger generation could be kept away from the addictive drink
that is distracting the nation from its goals.
I sincerely hope, authorities
while considering economic aspects of the proposed revision of bar timings, would
consider the adverse impact of consumption of alcohol on the society,
specifically on women folks, youths, children and the low income working class
as well. If complete prohibition cannot be resorted to as in Gujarat, Manipur, Nagaland and Lakshadweep (Kerala and Bihar is also mulling
total prohibition), reduction in supply by limiting business hours for serving
liquor is a step in the right direction.
Thanking you,
Yours
faithfully
Debkumar
Bhadra
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