Women villagers on outskirts of Bengaluru seek police intervention over rampant sale of liquor
Bengaluru: Women residents of Rajaghatta village, located on the outskirts of Bengaluru, have raised serious concerns over the unchecked sale of liquor in their locality, claiming it is wreaking havoc on families by pushing men into alcoholism and unemployment. The villagers, particularly women, have approached the police for immediate intervention.
The issue came to light during a Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) grievance meeting conducted by the Bengaluru district police along with the ‘Mane Manege Police’ (door-to-door police service) on Sunday, as reported by The Hindu.
Lakshmamma, a resident speaking on behalf of the women in the village, highlighted to Superintendent of Police C.K. Baba that liquor shops in the area operate from as early as 6:00 a.m. and remain open until midnight or even later.
“This is posing a threat to the families, as the men get drunk early in the morning and do not go to work. Most of the families face a difficult situation due to the alcohol menace and it is pushing them into penury. Even grocery and vegetable shops have started stocking up liquor, making them accessible round the clock,” the newspaper quoted her as saying.
In response, SP Baba directed excise department officials to ensure liquor vendors strictly follow the timings prescribed in their licenses. He also instructed the jurisdictional police and excise department to conduct routine inspections to curb the illegal sale of alcohol in the region.
During the same meeting, a few students expressed distress over caste-based humiliation in schools. “We were mocked and called casteist names. The teachers and village elders are not doing anything despite being aware of this situation,” one student shared with the senior police officials.
Taking a serious view of the complaint, Baba instructed the Panchayat Development Officer and education department officials present to take immediate corrective measures to prevent such discriminatory practices, added the report.
Police officials also visited Dalit colonies, where they pasted posters displaying the names and contact numbers of police officers to be contacted for any help, aiming to reassure residents of their support.
Villagers were encouraged to work alongside law enforcement in maintaining peace and combating crime in the area.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Fadnavis rides motorcycle to Vidhan Bhavan, says PM Modi asked only for 'small sacrifices'
Mumbai (PTI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday rode a motorcycle to the Vidhan Bhavan here and later defended the Centre's austerity measures, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi has only "asked people to make small sacrifices".
He also criticised the Opposition for creating "unnecessary controversy" over the matter, adding that questioning the PM's foreign visits - aimed at strategic alliances and economic benefits - was "sheer foolishness".
Fadnavis arrived at the Vidhan Bhavan in South Mumbai on a motorbike from his residence 'Varsha', with BJP leader and minister Ashish Shelar accompanying him, to attend the swearing-in of new members of the legislative council.
The move comes as part of the measures after PM Modi's appeal to conserve fuel and foreign exchange in view of the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which has disrupted global energy supplies. India relies heavily on West Asia for crude oil and gas imports.
On Wednesday, CM Fadnavis announced a series of austerity measures, including halving the number of vehicles in the convoys of his cabinet colleagues, and cancelling foreign tours of ministers and officials.
Addressing reporters here on Thursday, Fadnavis said the state government had curtailed convoys, cancelled avoidable foreign tours and decided against holding large government events for the next six months.
Targeting the Opposition, the CM said similar austerity measures had been adopted by previous governments, including during the tenures of former prime ministers Indira Gandhi and P V Narasimha Rao, as well as by former finance minister P Chidambaram in 2012.
"The Opposition needs to show some maturity. Countries across the world have taken even tougher decisions. The prime minister has only asked people to make small sacrifices while himself taking very tough decisions. Creating unnecessary controversy over this is not appropriate," he said.
Fadnavis said he travelled by motorcycle to send a message on fuel conservation, adding that symbolic actions by political leaders help spread awareness among people.
"When leaders act symbolically in this manner, the message reaches the people. That is why I came here on a motorcycle," he stressed.
The chief minister said all unnecessary foreign visits by officials and ministers had been stopped, and efforts were underway to reduce fuel consumption and save foreign exchange.
"We have reduced our convoys. Wherever petrol and diesel can be saved, wherever foreign exchange can be conserved, we are making every possible effort," he said.
Fadnavis said a major government event scheduled in Satara on Friday would, however, go ahead as it was planned in advance and expenditure had already been incurred.
He said around 25 lakh families would receive benefits valued at Rs 10,000 crore under the Centre's Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana during the programme.
"After this event, however, no large government programmes will be organised over the next six months," he added.
The CM also dismissed criticism on social media over PM Modi's foreign visits, saying overseas trips aimed at strategic alliances and economic gains for the country should not be equated with avoidable travel.
"The appeal is only against unnecessary foreign travel. It does not mean businessmen should cancel important overseas deals. Criticising the prime minister's foreign visits is sheer foolishness," he said.
