Women in hill villages of Uttarakhand have taken the lead in fighting the menace of alcohol by banning its sale and consumption and imposing heavy penalties of up to ₹1 lakh.
Women’s groups and panchayat bodies in several villages of the Garhwal region have also announced social boycott of families involved in the sale of liquor.
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The Mahila Mangal Dal (MMD), considered one of the strongest women’s groups in Uttarakhand, in Himni village of the remote Chamoli district, has pledged to make the village an ideal, alcohol-free community.
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After a prolonged campaign against liquor consumption in the region, the group passed a resolution a few days ago imposing a complete ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol in the village.
The MMD, with the support of the local panchayat, has announced that anyone caught selling liquor will be fined up to ₹1,00,000, while those found serving alcohol at public functions will be penalised ₹50,000.
Women of Himni village, led by MMD president Seema Devi, have also decided to socially boycott the families of individuals found involved in the liquor trade.
Speaking about the decision, Seema Devi said, “Women in the village have united to curb the menace of alcohol consumption. Apart from penalties for the sale and consumption of liquor, a fine of ₹25,000 will be imposed for creating a ruckus or using abusive language under the influence of alcohol. A reward of ₹10,000 will be given to anyone who provides information about people selling liquor in the area. Repeated violators of the village’s alcohol-free policy will face social boycott.”
Significantly, Himni has followed in the footsteps of several other villages in the Dewal block of Chamoli district. Panchayats and women’s groups in Balan, Sawad, Talaur, Ghes and Manmati villages have already banned the sale and consumption of liquor.
Similarly, Kheti village in the Adibadri tehsil has also imposed strict restrictions on alcohol. A decision to enforce complete prohibition was taken at a meeting chaired by village pradhan Rekha Devi, in association with the Mahila Mangal Dal, Yuvak Mangal Dal and local residents, two days ago.
Rekha Devi said anyone caught consuming alcohol in the village will be fined ₹25,000, while those selling liquor will face a penalty of ₹50,000. She clarified that outsiders entering the village in an intoxicated state will also be penalised, and strict action will be taken against those found drinking or gambling at local shops.
Apart from Chamoli, women’s groups in Jakhni village of Rudraprayag district have also unanimously decided to ban alcohol in their area. At a meeting chaired by village pradhan Saroj Devi two days ago, it was decided to impose a blanket ban on the sale and consumption of liquor, with fines and social boycott for violators. Villagers Jitpal Singh Negi and Yogambar Rawat said the move was aimed at “making Jakhni an ideal village by eradicating the menace of alcohol.”
Saroj Devi said the decision was the outcome of a long-standing campaign against liquor sale and consumption in the area, led by the Mahila Mangal Dal and Nav Yuvak Mangal Dal over the past several months.
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