New Delhi:As part of the new excise policy and to prevent the number of deaths due to poisoning, the Punjab government is planning to manufacture and sell low but relatively less harmful country liquor at a price.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab has taken a big decision on liquor amid a nationwide outrage over the bihar hooch tragedy. The Punjab government is planning to sell country liquor containing 40 per cent alcohol in small packets to prevent the sale of local liquor that could lead to poisoning, media reports said. Due to low prices, the local liquor made domestically is more prevalent in rural areas. Therefore, the idea of selling this country liquor as a ‘healthy alternative’ to local liquor is going on, official sources said.
Punjab’s excise department told The Indian Express that a poisonous liquor called ‘Lahan’ is very popular in rural areas of Punjab. The alcohol content in this local liquor is also lower than that made in India. This ‘Lahan’ is sold in small packets of 25 to 40 rupees. The excise department also hopes that if the government can make arrangements to sell less harmful country liquor at a lower price and in smaller packets, then the tendency of people to consume spurious liquor can be reduced.
