“Alcohol Need of Tribals, Won’t Allow Liquor Ban, Till Alive”: Chhattisgarh Minister

Raipur: Chhattisgarh Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma stated before the media that he will not allow prohibition on alcohol in Bastar till he is alive.

Speaking to newsmen in Bastar, Lakhma said alcohol is a need of tribal people. He also supported the consumption of liquor. According to him liquor consumption in small quantities is not injurious to health.

Earlier Lakhma had also advocated that rules for the prohibition of liquor in the tribal-dominated Bastar region should be different from other parts of Chhattisgarh. According to him a decision in this regard would be taken by the panchayats of the area.

“The people of Bastar and their way of worship are different. Several rituals during worship are not done without alcohol. Therefore, the rules for Bastar regarding the liquor ban will differ and the question of prohibiting liquor there did not arise. The population in the region is tribal-dominated and the panchayat there will take a decision in this regard,” he said.