K.V. Assumi
The recent State level consultative meeting on Prohibition initiated by State Govt. without inviting NBCC (the Premier Organisation on whose behest Prohibition came into being) had once again touched the hornet nest. As a result various views and comments (For and against) on Prohibition flooded the local dailies far the last 2 months. By and large, the majority spearheaded by NBCC prefer continuation of prohibition with better mechanism of enforcement to maintain peace and social order. Whereas, some few have suggested for lifting prohibition on the ground reality of losing huge State's revenue for nothing, while Govt. is knocking at every doors and windows in search of money for sustenance of development in the State. Both the views are equally logical with the substance of truth in it.
1. It is true that everyone wants peace in the family, in society and with the neighbours but the inherent human 'GREED' and 'DISOBIDIENCE' inherited from the first man - 'ADAM' had brought hatred and destructions to the world. Of the many destructive elements 'WINE' is one which human civilization had been fighting down the centuries but not succeeded. The same is now with Nagaland Total Liquor Prohibition for the last 20 years. The NL TP Act '89 could hardly serve only two good things - (1) There is no liquor shop so there is no liquor bottles on the counters to tempt youngsters. (2) Act has created at least fear psychosis on the drinkers that they drink in hiding and without much unruly behavior. Without the Act, night hours would be unsafe for women and hue and cries would fill the nights. Yet, the Act was not and is not going to bring desirable goal to the society. The issue is spiritual and social transformation which is the need of the hour. No amount of govt. legislation is going to bring changes in our society.
All what is required is renewed mind and committed will. Therefore even if Great Wall of China type fencing is constructed all along the State Borders to stop flowing liquor into our State, or, the most sophisticated modem equipments like Scud Missiles & Patriotic Missiles that were used in Iraq war are provided to Excise and Police to fight liquor sellers, liquor will continue to flow in and sale will be on as long as people's thirst and demand for liquor exists. As the thirsty birds when their drinking pond dries up they fly to other ponds where sufficient water is there. So in the same way if there is no liquor in Nagaland it does not make the drinkers stop drinking. They will go to neighbouring States to satisfy -themselves which no body can stop. Here, lies the real duties and responsibilities of Church through whose efforts, commitments, dedication and sacrifice can bring some change. Not slogan or Law.
2. It is also true that because of prohibition, the State is losing a huge revenue to the tune ofRs.150 crore a year (taking 50% of the 300 crore yearly Excise revenue of Assam State). Rs.150 crores a year is not a small revenue for a tinny Nagaland State. This money could be utilized judiciously for the welfare of the people. It is universal truth that all revenue resources of the State or the country including USA, UK, or Australia or Japan are inclusive of Excise revenue. Excise revenue is never treated as Taboo as in the case of Nagaland. There is nothing wrong to use excise revenue for good purposes. However, there is still an area to be careful and take proper steps before lifting prohibition. Otherwise, lifting prohibition would be like opening the flood gate. Lifting may be like getting National Independence for those drinkers. They will not simply drink but sportingly drink till they are flat on the ground. Nagas need drinking disciplinary training before lifting prohibition.
Whatever may be, gain or lost, good or bad, Prohibition is not going to be effective even in hundred years to come so long as human attitude remains the same as under:
(1) Legislators passed the Prohibition Bill in the Assembly but drink liquor in their private homes with friends.
(2) Unofficial drinking get together takes place in evenings or official functions.
(3) Enforcing agencies on duty brings the offenders (Accused) to justice only when there is no scope for negotiation for self pocket.
(4) Sale of liquor in hotels/restaurants even in pan shop is done under the guard and protection or partnership of individual underground activists.
(5) Church workers offer longest prayers for the corrupted politicians and Bureaucrats without exposing to them of their corruption to please them and get lavish donations.
(6) Church believes in only miracles from the NLTP Act and not cleaning their home and their Church.
(7) General Public remains a silent spectator hoping others or govt. to do everything for them. Prohibition is a "People War" against social evil where every citizen has a part to play. Unfortunately, we Nagas know how to give many suggestions to others to do but do nothing by themselves.
Now, the question is clear, the prohibition had failed for the last 20 years of implementation 20 years is more than sufficient to know all what it is about. Should there be second thought now to avoid double fault. Knowingly attempting clear impossibility is nothing but foolishness. Hence it is high time to rationalize the matter seriously by putting the good and bad on the weighing balance.
The case study clearly indicates that prohibition demands inner transformation and not outer parnaphalias. And to bring the same is perhaps the responsibility of church by winning the heart of people. Therefore, the ball is now in the court of the church. The task is not easy as speaking words but to toil with patience, with commitment, dedication and sacrifice, not a week, a month, a year but for decades. That if church can commit with assurance, a chance may be given to them. But in case if they also failed church is going to lose all its credential and faith of the people. If so, Government should prepare all arrangements for lifting the prohibition without wasting time as the enormous State revenue should not be wasted for nothing.
That now to lift prohibition govt. should properly prepare ground control and regulatory system for Import/Export/Distribution/Transaction and quality control for safe drinking. With proper control system of distribution and stricter field enforcement with better mechanism rampant flow of spurious Liquor can be arrested. So also availability of spurious liquor endangering human life can be automatically checked. The inferior and spurious liquor selling at the exorbitant rate will be vanished in no time. By this way every single paise of Government revenue is tapped for beneficial use. The fact is that once prohibition is lifted only scientifically approved liquor for human consumption will be used. So also Excise duty is realized on every single bottle for the interest of the State.
"The world is full of opposites Good and Bad and to overcome is not to efface them but to rise above it"- Mahatma Gandhi
(K.V. Assumi is former Addl. Commissioner of Excise, Nagaland)
