CRITICISM FOR NO REASON
The reports emanating from different parts of the Union Territory of J&K that many political parties are decrying the LG’s Administration for its decision to allow the sale of beer and ready to drink (RTD) beverages in departmental stores are strange. It is unnecessary to stoke a controversy over a non-issue or one can say that over a decision which actually deserves kudos because this move will go a long way in boosting tourism and will also generate added revenue, which is good for the government, UT and the people of the region as the extra revenue collected by this provision will help in making the public edifice more robust and effective. The reasons which the political outfits are giving to support their opposition to the decision of the government to sell beer and RTD beverages at the grocery or to be more specific departmental stores are meaningless and should not be considered by the government as the resistance shown by some of the parties in politics is just for the sake of opposition because if one considers the logic given by the NC Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar that the move will not only indulge youth into a new addiction but will also have serious ramifications considering how easy its access has been made is unfounded because already there is no bounding or restriction on the sale of the aforesaid drinks in the Union Territory and if there is age bar for purchasing these products, the same is true for cigarettes and Beedies also , and if the government can rely on shopkeepers for selling aforesaid tobacco products to eligible consumers than there is no reason to question their credibility over selling beer and other alcoholic drinks. The NC, Congress, PDF and few others have objected to this liberal liquor policy to provide beer and RTD beverages at the local departmental stores giving reasons that this will ruin the future of youths. The stand taken by the aforesaid political entities is not justified because scores of countries across the world toe the same line and their youths are doing extremely well without any issue of addiction or a disastrous future. The political parties taking an adverse stand must support this move as the same is going to prove as a game changer for the UT by giving fillip to the tourism sector by wooing the visitors from foreign lands.