A fast high on spirit

Follow us:WhatsappFacebookTwitterTelegram.cls-1{fill:#4d4d4d;}.cls-2{fill:#fff;}Google NewsTheir posters across the city gave a clarion call to all those fond of alcoholic drinks to assert their rights. Is it not logical that a community, which does yeoman service to society by being the largest grosser for the ex-chequer, be protected by that State in case of distress?Perhaps this important question fuelled the spirits of members of the Liquor Consumers Awareness Revolutionary Organisation, who on Monday sat on a day-long fast condemning the recent hike in prices of booze across TASMAC outlets.However, it seemed the message took a little time to reach all the members. Blame a hangover, perhaps. This resulted in the fast venue attracting a less-than-strong contingent of five protestors, with about 50 empty chairs to accompany them. Not to forget the lone police officer providing security. But then again, it was not the numbers that matter ed, but the spirit behind it all. P Chellapandian, who claimed to be the leader of the group, put forth his views quite forcefully, but at the same time carefully pointing to the fact that it was a “Gandhian way of protesting.”“Since 2003, liquor consumers have been the biggest grosser for the State, with revenues jumping every year. But now, they are trying to take more advantage of us by raising the prices,” he observed, quoting statistics on number of drinkers in the State and what each of them contribute, all along blaming TASMAC squarely for the state of affairs.However, he believes despite being the biggest grosser, families of those who indulge in liquor are neglected. “Families of those who get severely addicted face lot of issues. But there is no relief for such families despite liquor sales contributing a major share of the revenues,” he opined.Given such arguments on plight of the families of liquor families, you would believe the group might support immediate prohibition. But no, their focus was somewhere else. Members said the government should create a corpus from liquor profits to provide relief to all families, which are in some manner affected by its consumption.first published:September 18, 2012, 07:52 ISTlast updated:September 18, 2012, 07:52 IST 
window._taboola = window._taboola || [];_taboola.push({mode: 'thumbnails-a', container: 'taboola-below-article-thumbnails', placement: 'Below Article Thumbnails', target_type: 'mix' });Latest News