Jammu, May 8: President Sainik Samaj Party,J&K urged the state government to lift the ban on selective basis with promulgation of suitable protocols and ensuring their implementation.He said that nation and our UT are poised precariously towards combating the adverse economical fall out of our battle against the deadly Corona virus, and if innovative and pragmatic measures are not taken in time,nation will head for an unimaginable disaster. A fine line has to be drawn between ‘lives and livelihood ‘and implemented with diligence, innovative ,pragmatic and flexible approach ,in short,mid and longer horizon. 75 % revenue of the state are generated through state GST, state excise,taxes on vehicles, taxes on property and capital transactions and taxes on electricity. Taxes on sale of liquor constitutes a major portion of the revenue generated and this fund can be used optimally for development work and as a mean of providing employment to numerous people ,having no jobs.Pathania said that in consonance with the central government policy ban on liquor must be lifted in a phased and selective manner in various zones ,depending on the corona threat in a given area.Concept of home delivery should be introduced and all liquor outlets across the UT should open once or twice, Suitable police personnel,home guard and volunteers should be placed in rotation, to ensure strict enforcement of social distancing and wearing of masks. Liquor vendors too must be issued appropriate advisory on management of sale and held accountable for violations ,with provisions of stringent punishment. Further ban on sale of liquor will not only deprive the state of huge revenues, but will also aggravate the already existing problems of liquor smuggling, black marketing, hoarding, production and sale of illicit liquor etcetera, which will adversely affect our fight against Corona virus and jeopardize the life of innocent people. An innovative, rapidly changing, pragmatic and a long horizon approach will not yield huge revenues for our UT ,but also nip in the bud all malpractice and evil effects,detrimental for society and already manifested and visible.
