Liquor Ban Possible Within Minutes if Delhi Wants, Says Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Senior Jammu and Kashmir National Conference leader and Rajya Sabha member Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan on Saturday said that all major laws implemented in Jammu and Kashmir originate from New Delhi, and asserted that liquor trade in the Union Territory could be stopped “within 10 minutes” if the Centre so desired.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a party convention in Budgam, Ramzan said the decision on prohibition effectively lies with the Lieutenant Governor’s administration.

“The liquor ban is in the court of the LG. We also want a ban on it,” he said.

The NC leader said those campaigning against drug abuse should also address the issue of liquor trade and take practical steps if they genuinely support prohibition.

“The LG leads marches against drugs, but at the same time he should think about the liquor trade. Let him take the initiative; we are with him,” Ramzan said.

However, he added that any decision to shut down the liquor trade would also require addressing compensation and other administrative implications.

Ramzan also criticised the People’s Democratic Party over its remarks directed at the National Conference on the liquor issue.

“Go and read the statement of former Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu, who supported the liquor trade,” he said.

According to Ramzan, Drabu had described liquor consumption as a matter of personal choice and had opposed prohibition during his tenure as Finance Minister in the PDP-led government headed by Mehbooba Mufti.

“Today they blame the National Conference,” Ramzan added.

Describing liquor as “Umul Khabayis” or the “mother of all evils”, Ramzan said there was widespread public support for prohibition, but maintained that the elected government does not directly control the Revenue Department.

“The Revenue Department is under the control of the LG and it is not in our control,” he said.

On India-Pakistan relations, the NC leader said dialogue between the two countries was necessary for lasting peace and poverty eradication in the region.

He welcomed recent remarks by an RSS leader supporting engagement between India and Pakistan, adding that such a stance had consistently been advocated by Farooq Abdullah and the National Conference leadership.

“We want, and have always wanted, peaceful coexistence,” Ramzan said. [KNT]