A remote and backward gram panchayat along the Assam-Meghalaya border in Assam's Kamrup (Rural) district has banned sale and consumption of liquor in 84 villages under its jurisdiction.
"The socio-economic condition of the villagers had forced us to take such a decision as villagers were spending a substantial amount of their income on liquor and it has become very difficult for them to make both ends meet," president of Kinan Village Development Samity Benedict Areng said.
In a recent meeting, the panchayat had unanimously decided to ban consumption of liquor and also to impose a fine of Rs500 on anyone found drinking within the villages, Areng added.
"There are, however, certain relaxations like rice beer which is a traditional drink for the tribals and are used in certain rituals, will be allowed but the panchayat must be informed earlier," said the convenor Babul Rabha.
Most of the people there earn their livelihood by farming in family land or as daily-wage labourers in Guwahati and adjoining areas. The decision has also been hailed by the All India Prohibition Council. Its Additional General Secretary Bhanwar Singh Choudhury wrote to Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi urging him to take adequate measures for development of the area.
The community leaders of the Gram Panchayat have organised a function on May 16 where a pledge would be taken to stop insurgency related activities which include extortion, passage of militants through the villages and providing shelter to them, Rabha added.