Social activist Anna Hazare has asked the state government to appoint Gram Suraksha Dals, which will be made up of villagers with special rights, to curb use of illicit liquor in the state. Mr Hazare has mellowed down his stand on complete liquor ban but wants some mechanism at village levels to reduce its consumption. Though the government has supported the cause, it is concerned about appointing Gram Suraksha Dals, as the demand has come when the menace of gau rakshaks is evident.
“It has been observed in many cases that culprits commit crimes under the influence of liquor,” Sanjay Pathade, a close aide of Anna Hazare told The Asian Age.
“It is also causing problems for women and hence Anna Hazare has demanded some control over consumption of liquor. He is not asking for blanket ban that might encourage the sale of illicit liquor. So, he has proposed Gram Suraksha Dals to curb illicit liquor and also menace due to consumption of liquor. He has been demanding to give rights to the Gram Suraksha Dals which can inform police and intervene in a few cases,” Mr Pathade said.
He further added, “The Gram Suraksha Dals will have 12-15 members elected by the Gram Sabha of the particular village with 50 per cent of them being women.
“The members of the Dals will be independent of any political party and should have a background of participation in social activities. They should have legal rights to assist police. Annaji has been communicating with the government on the issue and the draft in this regard would be ready within a month. He has asked to have a pilot project in one district and then implement it to the rest of the state”.
He also admitted that officials from the excise department met Mr Hazare last week to discuss the issue. In July, Mr Hazare had written a letter to the government on the same issue, he added.
However, the state government is reluctant to form the Gram Suraksha Dals, as they might be misused at the village level.
“The Gram Suraksha Dals cannot be formed as suggested by the social activist. It might create problems at the local level. We appreciate his cause and dedication towards social issues and are discussing with him possibilities to control use of illicit liquor,” an official from the excise department said.
