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Liquor ban in UP not possible at present: Akhilesh
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said that a ban on liquor in Uttar Pradesh “is not possible at present.”
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said that a ban on liquor in Uttar Pradesh “is not possible at present.”
He, however, asked people to keep away from alcohol, advising the habitual drinkers to quit its consumption immediately.
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The chief minister was in Bhadohi to inaugurate developmental schemes worth Rs 273 crore. He also laid the foundations of three projects worth Rs 161 crore.
Replying to a question about how he planned to deal with the liquor ban campaign by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and if he had any plan to enforce prohibition, Yadav said, “Imposing a ban on liquor in the state all of a sudden is not possible at present since molasses, sugar and liquor are made from sugarcane that is produced by the farmers.”
“Millions of farmers are involved in sugarcane cultivation. Besides, many people are involved in the sugar industry. If we have to pay a good price for sugarcane to the farmers, the sugar industry will be there so that the farmers can sell their produce. This is a big state. All of a sudden, a decision on any issue is not possible,” the CM said.
Read: To drink or not: Bihar excise policy violating army ‘spirit’
Yadav, however, added that he would try to find a way to deal with the menace in the future. “Liquor is very bad. People should keep off it. Those in the habit of drinking should quit it right away,” he said.
On the same day, Yadav also announced a monthly pension of Rs 500 each to weavers in the state aged above 60, which would be started soon. “We are also planning to provide small power loom weavers with more facilities soon,” he said.
