Chhattisgarh’s liquor sales set new revenue record

March 8th, 2011 - 6:08 pm ICT by IANS  

Bharatiya Janata Party Raipur, March 8 (IANS) Chhattisgarh’s revenue from liquor sales in the first 10 months of the current fiscal have surpassed the earnings in the last financial year, Revenue Minister Amar Agrawal informed the state assembly Tuesday.

“Chhattisgarh’s earnings from country-made and foreign liquor sales rose to a record Rs.839 crore by January-end of the current fiscal year 2010-11, while it was Rs.831 crore in fiscal 2009-10,” the minister told the house in a written reply to a question by Congress member and Leader of Opposition Ravindra Choubey.

The minister said that the state’s revenue from liquor sales was Rs.538 crore in 2006-07, Rs.611 crore in 2007-08 and Rs.702 crore in 2008-09.

The minister faced criticism from Congress members who accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of opening too many liquor shops across the state, including in smaller villages.

Opposition member Dharamjeet Singh alleged that 8,000 people died in the state in past 18 months due to liquor consumption and the government was just a mute spectator.

The minister said the government was working with NGOs to discourage people from taking to liquor.

Wall paintings, street dances and hoardings were being used to make people aware about ill-effects of liquor addiction, Agrawal said.

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