Empty liquor bottles welcome visitors to health dept's office

On the one hand Ludhiana health department spreads awareness against liquor abuse and drug addiction, on the other hand empty liquor bottles can commonly be seen on the premises of the building here.

On the one hand Ludhiana health department spreads awareness against liquor abuse and drug addiction, on the other hand empty liquor bottles can commonly be seen on the premises of the building here.

HT Image

When an HT team visited the office, alcohol bottles were found thrown in the open at the office. Some empty liquor bottles were also lying behind the information signboards installed inside the office.

This, despite the fact that liquor consumption is not allowed inside the office.

One of the visitors at the office, Sukhdeep Singh said, “It is shameful that liquor bottles are lying in the open and nobody is paying attention towards this matter. It is even disgraceful that liquor bottles are lying behind an informational board which gives the message of how to live a healthy life. The officials should investigate into the matter and make efforts to avoid such things.”

This is not the first time that liquor bottles were seen lying in the open here. Even in July 2012, some empty liquor bottles came down after the roof of a verandah inside civil surgeon's office collapsed after heavy rain.

An official, requesting anonymity, said, “I saw the empty liquor bottles on the premises. It is possible that after senior officers leave for home, some persons indulge in drinking on the premises. But these persons could be outsiders."

When contacted, assistant civil surgeon Dr KS Saini said, “We will look into the matter as our employees are not allowed to consume liquor on the premises. We will take strict action after finding those behind this menace.”