Country liquor sellers urged to leave illegal business

From a Correspondent

Dibrugarh, July 19: An awareness camp  with the aim of stopping the widespread circulation of the illegal business of sulai liquor (country liquor), was organized under the aegis of the district administration  at the Diriel Tea Estate’s club premises in harkatia on Tuesday.  The camp held as part of the district administration’s awareness drive against country liquor was conducted with the aim of educating the alcohol producers and sellers on choosing a substitute earning profession for themselves.

 The awareness meeting, in presence of DC Laya Madduri, was attended by 180 male and female illegal liquor  sellers of Duliajan and harkatia area of the district, who later took oath to shun the business forever. Addressing a similar camp that was held under the joint aegis of the district administration and Excise Department, Deputy Commissioner Laya Madduri appealed to all liquor sellers present in the meeting to get associated with a decent profession in the society by leaving the business of selling country liquor.  During the camp, the liquor producers and sellers were given detailed information on substitute professions for earning their livelihood such as vermi composting, poultry farming,  pig farming, stitching, weaving and threading, beauty parlour, pan shop and other small-scale business for which they can apply in banks to avail bank loans.

 Stating her view, Madduri later said that only if the any male or female associated with the illegal business of country liquor expressed his or her keenness  to leave this profession and choose to take up any other trade, in that case only the district administration would provide all possible help and cooperation to such persons.

 Madduri further added that before taking any legal action against this illegal liquor sellers, the district administration wanted to give them a chance to leave the profession. But if any such person is still found in such business even after the district administration’s initiative, in that case stringent legal action would be taken against such traders under Excise Law of the Assam Government.  In a survey conducted by the district administration as a bid to free the entire district from country liquor through various initiatives, it has come to light that there are 800 male and female liquor producers and sellers who are involved in the business, stated DC Madduri.   She even assured the gathering that all possible and effective efforts would be taken up to see that liqour sellers leaving  this immoral profession by opting for a decent occupation were given full support while availing the bank loans and even given proper training regarding the various professions.

 DC Madduri even said that the district administration would continue to work for creating awareness among the people who consume this harmful liquor and those persons who were part of selling and making of the country liquor.  The Director of United RSETI, Amitabh Bhattacharjya; Excise Superintendent  Ajay Kumar Bayon ; Lead Bank Mager  M C Kachari ; Dr Biswajit Baruah, amongst others graced the awareness camp, which was attended by more than 180 illegal liquor sellers who pledged to leave the business for the good of  society.