Jammu, Feb 11: In a significant move aimed at tackling the rising concerns over alcohol consumption in Jammu and Kashmir, PDP MLA from Kupwara, Fayaz Ahmad Mir, has submitted a Private Member’s Bill seeking a complete prohibition on the advertisement, sale, purchase, consumption, and manufacture of liquor across the Union Territory. The bill is set to be introduced during the upcoming budget session of the J&K Assembly, scheduled to commence on March 3 in Jammu.
The three-page bill was officially forwarded to the Assembly Secretariat on Monday, which marked the final deadline for submitting bills before the commencement of the three-week-long session. This budget session holds particular significance as it will be the first budget presentation of the National Conference-led government under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, after assuming office in October last year, following six years of central rule in the region.
Citing growing social and moral concerns, Mir has emphasized the urgent need to curb the increasing trend of alcohol consumption in Jammu and Kashmir. In the statement of objectives and reasons attached to the bill, he warned that if alcohol use continues unchecked, it could have disastrous consequences for society.
“The rise in alcohol consumption has been following an ascending curve, and this is largely due to the lack of a holistic approach in dealing with this issue. If strict laws are not put in place at this juncture, the long-term impact on society could be devastating,” Mir stated.
The bill proposes stringent penalties, including both imprisonment and heavy fines, against those found guilty of violating the proposed liquor ban. The objective, according to Mir, is to safeguard public health, social values, and the well-being of youth, who are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of alcohol.
Ahead of the upcoming session, the J&K Assembly Secretariat had issued guidelines to members, limiting them to submitting no more than 10 starred and 10 unstarred questions, along with a restriction of three bills per member, in relaxation of Rule 32 and Rule 65(3) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business. The submission of Mir’s liquor prohibition bill aligns with these procedural formalities.
With the budget session fast approaching, the bill is expected to ignite a heated debate within the Assembly, as it touches upon a deeply contentious issue balancing public health concerns, economic factors, and individual freedoms. While some sections of society and religious groups have long advocated for prohibition, others argue that a ban could negatively impact tourism, revenue generation, and employment in the region.
As discussions unfold, all eyes will be on the Omar Abdullah-led government’s stance on this critical proposal and whether it gains legislative support in the Assembly.