Not quite what Gandhi wanted

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: The liquor prohibition policy in Gujarat, with its roots in Gandhian philosophy of simple living, is definitely not succeeding in deterring illicit liquor pouring into the state from neighbouring states. Though Gujarat is the only Indian state to maintain prohibition officially, the policy has not proved to be effective in controlling liquor consumption locally.

Seizure of illicit liquor by the state’s prohibition department has been increasing for the last three years, which indicates liquor is increasingly flowing into the state and illegal brewing is growing. On a visit to Ahmedabad last November, chairman of Uni-ted Breweries Vijay Mallya told Gujarat CM Nar- endra Modi bluntly that the state government was losing Rs 2,300 crore by not permitting liquor in the state.

Liquor sales are permitted for foreign tourists but even that channel is not hassle-free. Even though the government tried to simplify procedures so as to facilitate foreign tourists in getting permit as soon as they arrive at any airport in the state, this has remained a non-starter in practice. This was among the many suggestions made in an inter department note circulated with the aim of procedural simplification.

Despite this, state government officials maintain that prohibition is effective, which has resulted in higher social security in the state. Speaking to FE, M S Brar, commissioner of the Gujarat prohibition department, says: “Gujarat is considered to be comparatively calm state and prohibition is one of the main reasons for that. Even the Constitution says that there should be prohibition on liquor and Gujarat is the only state which has implemented it.” He even attributes the low crime rate in Gujarat to the prohibition policy.

Brar admits that 100% prohibition is not possible, and despite checks and controls leakages occur in the system and that those responsible don’t get caught. The government loses revenue but that is a cost of a social requirement like prohibition, he feels.

Prohibition makes Gujarat more attractive for illicit liquor as liquor sales fetches higher prices. In 2005, the department seized liquor, including country liquor, worth more than Rs 30 crore, more than a third over the previous year’s seizures. The number was Rs 22 crore in 2004 and Rs 23 crore in 2003. According to sources in the department, such seizures are just a small fraction of the total illicit liquor market in the state.