Panchayats in Punjab villages join anti-alcohol tirade, say no to vendsPunjab Newsline NetworkTuesday, 05 October 2010By Prabhjot Kaur The Sangrur district has taken the lead with atleast 45 Panchayats passing a resolution under Section 40 of the Punjab Panchayati Raj Act (PRA) 1994, urging the Excise and Taxation authorities not to allow liquor shops be opened in their villages from the next fiscal. Earlier, in February this year, with a view to completely end the practice of alcohol consumption in their villages, panchayats of 44 villages of eight districts of Punjab, which included 22 from Sangrur only, had passed similar resolutions. Social activist Kamal Anand said two NGOs have made earnest efforts to educate and make the panchayats aware about their right, under Section 40 of the Punjab PRA 1994. "After a lot of brainstorming sessions, finally 23 more panchayats have now passed the resolution, urging the Excise and Taxation authorities to stop the opening of the liquor shops in their villages," said president of SASWF Dr AS Mann. Notably, in February this year, apart from 22 village panchayats of Sangrur, the villages of some other districts that had taken similar initiative include Mohali, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur, Barnala, Ludhiana, Patiala and Faridkot. "Some NGOs have spread awareness about the relevant Act under the Punjab Panchayati Raj Act and subsequently we have decided to put forward the resolution that disallows the opening of liquor shops in villages," they said. Kamal Anand, who is also an RTI activist, said majority of panchayats in the state were not aware about this revolutionary power under the Punjab PRA 1994. "Especially, women representatives in panchayats must have proper knowledge about this provision, so they can at least think of exercising this right," he asserted, while adding that it was actually the duty of the state government to educate panchayats about the provisions of the Punjab PRA 1994. Section 40 of the Punjab Panchayati Raj Act says… It empowers the village panchayat with the power to introduce prohibition, following which intoxicating liquor cannot be sold at any licensed shop within the gram panchayat area. The Section further mentions that if within two years, preceding the date of the passing of such a resolution, illicit distillation or smuggling of alcohol has not been carried in the particular village, the resolution would be binding upon the Excise and Taxation Commissioner of the state |
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