GUWAHATI : Assam is planning to issue more liquor licenses to the shops to ensure that quality and legal booze is being provided to the consumers. The prime motive behind this is to keep the habitual drinkers away from the dangerous life-threatening diseases, according to the state government. Besides, the tribal drinks made by the locals will also be examined in the labs to check their quality. These drinks too, will be supplied legally to the consumers.
Also, new liquor licenses will be distributed in Assam, even in rural areas. Cabinet minister Parimal Suklabaidya said that this measure is taken only to stop smuggled and illegal liquor that is being brought in from Arunachal Pradesh. He added, "The government is not encouraging people to drink. But we want to make sure that the consumers that still continues to drink, gets quality and legal stuff. This can help them live longer and avoid hazardous diseases. Every year at least a number of 30 people die by consuming illicit drinks as they do not have the access to good quality liquor. Our excise department continues to destroy litres and litres of illicit liquor every single day."
The bulldozer action against illegal structures is a similar example to where the BJP government ordered a bulldozer to run over illicit liquor bottles. These liquor were marked for sale in Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya, as per sources.The cases against the illegal transportation of liquor was reported in Karbi Anglong district's Bokajan police station. Temporary check points in the Assam-Arunachal borders were also set up earlier to check on illegal entry of liquor from the neighbouring state.
Among the 1,234 licensed IMFL liquor shops in Assam, the maximum are in Guwahati. Apart from this, there are 341 country wine shops in the state. The government is not cheering for people to consume alcohol, but the steps taken are only for the consumers to live a healthier life. It is also an important source of revenue for the funds- starved state.
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