Excise figures show that Punjab and its capital Chandigarh consumed lesser liquor in the last few days of December 2012 than it did in 2011. These figures usually register a marked increase every passing year. The state’s consumption of Indian-manufactured foreign liquor (IMFL) slipped to 45 lakh proof litres in December 2012 from 52 lakh proof litres in the same month in 2011. And, consumption of country-made liquor, known as Punjab made liquor (PML), slumped from 96 lakh proof litres to 89 lakh proof litres during the same period. [Proof is a method of measuring the alcohol content of spirits. One case of 750 ml alcohol is equal to 6.75 proof litres.] The position was reverse last year as Punjab saw a rise in consumption of liquor from 660 lakh proof litres in 2010 to 1,173 lakh proof litres in 2011. It is reported that the reason behind this slight slower consumption of liquor is the mourning of the death of Delhi gang rape victim.
THE BACKGROUND
Punjab’s position in consumption of liquor is second to Kerala. These two states vie with each other for the top place as they are in the top-most bracket! A celebration for the residents of these states is incomplete without boozing. That is true about New Year’s Eve too. That is true about marriage parties and all other functions. In fact Punjab and Kerala are no exceptions. All other states record rising consumption of liquor. Even in relatively less developed states like Bihar the rate of growth of wine shops is higher than that of other items. The present administration has broken all earlier records of granting licences for alcoholic drinks. Excise duty on all intoxicants in any form, liquid or powder, is a state-subject and it has become a major source of revenue for state governments. Hence, despite all lip service against drug and alcohol abuse and all claims of adherence to Gandhian celibacy, consumption of intoxicants brings smiles on the faces of the men managing state government finances, be they executives or politicians.
THE OVERVIEW
Everyone agrees that drugs, alcohol and all forms of intoxicants are harmful for human beings. Hence their consumption should not only be discouraged but banned. An uncompromising attitude against alcoholism and drug abuse is called for. But what we hear is a plea for their disciplined consumption. Even the well-meaning give advice like ‘do not drink heavily’, ‘drink till you keep yourself in command’, ‘Do not drive if you are drunk’, ‘Consume alcohol while in privacy’, ‘do not make public nuisance’. Such disciplined drinking is supposed to be the hall-mark of modern civilized societies. Even several religions and religious practices have traditions of occasional intoxications, like alcohol or ganja, in their traditions. However, the attitude of Islam is uncompromising and unrelenting on the subject. It has prohibited intoxication. Even small quantity, say a peg, of something which inebriates after a heavy dose, is not permitted. The underlying idea is that the intellect of human beings has to be safeguarded and something which makes a person senseless should have no place in society. Alcoholism and drug abuse is against human dignity.