Kolkata: Following the footsteps of Bihar, West Bengal MLA Ali Imran Ramz on Thursday proposed to impose prohibition in the state. He said that a carpet ban on liquor through out the state will improve the law and order situation.
Mooting the idea during a budgetary meet, the All India Forward Bloc (AIFB) MLA said that West Bengal like Bihar should take measures to curb sale of liquor in the state. "Making Bengal a dry state will bring down crime though he conceded that the state revenue will take a beating in the process. It will also save the state's youth and contribute towards West Bengal's progress," he added.
However, TMC objected to the proposed idea. On the other hand, both CPI(M) and Congress MLAs supported Ramz.
Congress MLA Manas Bhunia said that the Mamata Banerjee government is indirectly promoting alcoholism. "Our government has decided to raise Rs 717 crore from excise duties. And they have decided to achieve this target by allowing alcohol manufacturers to sell their products in West Bengal,” said the MLA.
"The Bihar Chief Minister (Nitish Kumar) has shown the path. He made Bihar liquor-free despite loss to the state exchequer as he wanted to give a healthy ambience to his people," said Mannan.
"I don't know whether West Bengal Finance Minister (Amit Mitra) has the power to do so but if Bengal can emulate Bihar in this respect, the state can be uplifted from the degradation it has suffered," he added.
The state finance minister, however, refused to comment on the proposed idea. He said that banning alcohol is a long procedure and nothing can be concluded as of now.
