You are a civil servant posted in a state where elections were recently held. The newly elected Chief Minister had promised to ban alcohol in several of his election campaigns as well as his election manifesto, which was widely praised and supported by women of the state. Fulfilling his electoral promise, the Chief Minister has ordered a blanket ban on the sale of alcohol in the state. Following the ban, concerns have been raised about the feasibility of the ban and whether the government should interfere in what is considered by many to be a matter of personal choice. (a) Who are the stakeholders in this case and how are they affected by the ban? (b) Is blanket ban on alcohol a feasible action? (c) Identify the issues that may arise while enforcing the ban and the steps you will take to handle them, as a civil servant.

• Right to choice vs community welfare
• Women empowerment vs Equality of law
• Legality vs Ethicality

(a) Stakeholders and how they are affected (i) Common people Banning something takes the right of choice from people. Ban on alcohol will impact this choice as they no longer will be able to consume. (ii) Industries They will incur losses due to shutdown of the firms. (iii) Women and society Many say that they will benefit as atrocities and wrongdoing are commited

after drinking alcohol.

(iv) Government On one side the responsibility of govt. is to ensure societal order but on other side revenue losses, right to choice impact their functioning.

(v) Middleman Corruption could flourish due to black market from which these middleman benefit.

(b) Blanket ban a feasible action Arguments for:

• Strict control over the borders and transit point can help in complete ban.
• Helps in people getting out of evil of drinking and involve themselves in productive activities.
• Penalty such as in Bihar act as a deterrent

Against

• A black market creeps in as seen in Gujarat where liquor is banned.
• Smuggling occurs at transit point which leads to revenue losses as well as bending of law.
• People may switch to another harmful substances like drugs, narcotics etc.
• loss of tourism and revenue to the government.
• Right to choice of people get affected due to some miscreants.

Thus instead of banning, regulation is the right option with check on desi liquor which is responsible for death. Along with it 18+ advisory strictly implemented.

Issues that may arise during the process.

• Smuggling may occur in the region from nearby areas.

• Country made illegal liquor may be produced.

• Closure of hotels and alcohol industries.

• People may switch to another harmful substance like drugs.

• Discretion to authorities and harassment of people by misuse of law.

• Steps I will take:

Administration → Vigilant teams to look after such cases.

• Intelligence gathering for smuggling and black market.

Rehabilitation → Will take proactive steps for sending people addicted to liquor in rehab.

• Check on transit points. This will ensure no liquor comes from outside.

Promotion of state heritage and tourist spots → For tourism to keep flowing in the state.