PDP MLA introduces bill to ban liquor consumption in State Assembly

JAMMU : Peoples Democratic Party legislator Abdul Haq Khan today introduced Private members’ Bill on ban on liquor consumption and its manufacturing in the State, here in Legislative Assembly.
The Bill introduced sought prohibition on the manufacture, advertisement, sale, purchase, consumption, import and export of alcohol in the State.
Replying to the member, Minister for Finance Abdul Rahil Rather said, “the issue was also raised previously in the House.”
“We wanted the House to have a discussion on the matter,” Mr Rather said, adding that the Bill should be introduced and the Government will go ahead with the consensus reached on ban on liquor in the State.
Earlier on February 18, Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) member Harshdev Singh moved a Cut Motion during presentation of grants of the Finance Ministry seeking details on the liquor consumption in the State.
The Finance Minister in his reply had said the Press Club Jammu (PCJ) has emerged as the highest liquor consuming club in Jammu and Kashmir as 11,167 bottles Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and 9,507 bottles of beer were consumed at this club during the current financial year.
Mr Rather said the highest 11,167 bottles of IMFL (750 ML) were consumed at PCJ during 2013-14 till January this year. He said it was followed by consumption of 6,790 bottles at Jammu Club, 4,173 at Amar Singh Club Jammu, 3,295 bottles at Amar Singh Club Srinagar, 1,722 bottles at Kashmir Golf Club and no consumption at Royal Spring Golf Club Srinagar.    Similarly, 9,507 bottles (650 ML) of beer were consumed at PCJ during the same period and was followed by 5,351 bottles at Jammu Club, 4,451 bottles at Amar Singh Club Jammu, 1,918 bottles Amar Singh Club Kashmir, 1,678 bottles at Kashmir Golf Club, besides 155 bottles at Royal Spring Golf Club Srinagar, said the Finance Minister. (UNI)