BJP law makers criticise UP CM Yogi for allowing sale of liquor and pan masala

The decision of the Yogi Government to allow sale of liquor and pan masala in Uttar Pradesh has not gone well with the party’s law makers who have questioned the validity of the lockdown if the government allows people to swarm liquor shops and pan masala kiosks. They even wondered the justification of allowing sale of pan masala when government has banned spitting in public places.

“When the lockdown is proving to be a boon for people’s health and life then why relaxation is being given on sale of liquor, beedi, cigarette, gutkha, pan masala and other narcotic material?” asked BJP MP from Unnao Shakshi Maharaj on micro blogging site Twitter.

He said people are flouting norms and it will further spread novel coronavirus. “There is contradiction in government’s behavior. On one hand it bans spitting in public places saying the offender will be punished while on other it allows sale of pan masala,” he said.

The state government had on March 25 announced the ban on the manufacture and sale of pan masala, stating the move will help stop the spread of coronavirus. The ban was imposed on the first day of the nationwide lockdown for an indefinite period.  The ban was also imposed to curb the habit of spitting by the consumers of the pan masala.

BJP MLA from Ballia Surendra Singh wrote a letter to the Chief Minister requesting him to "reconsider" its decision to allow the sale of liquor in the state. “For the sake of revenue compromising with human lives is not justified,” he said.

"The government should reconsider its decision to allow sale of liquor. The sale of liquor should be banned... other measures can be taken for revenue generation," Singh said.

He even praised Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for enforcing prohibition in his state. "Nitish is the only leader who sacrificed big sources of revenue in a poor state like Bihar for the sake of public health. Such a tough decision can be taken only by a leader like Nitish Kumar," the BJP law maker said, adding that only Nitish Kumar is working like a "jansevak".

Echoing similar sentiments, BJP MP from Kanpur, Satyadev Pachauri also expressed his concern over the sale of liquor and pan masala. He has also written to the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath seeking a ban on the sale of liquor and pan masala saying this will weaken the battle against coronavirus.

On May 4, UP Government had opened liquor shops and announced relaxation in lockdown norms. And two days later it lifted ban on the manufacturing, transportation, distribution and retail sale of pan masala has also been lifted with effect from Thursday.

The orders to this effect were issued by the Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration Anita Singh on May 6. The ban on the manufacturing and sale of tobacco and pan masala/gutkha containing nicotine will continue to remain will continue.