Gujarat’s decision to relax liquor prohibition in the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) has stirred a pot of mixed reactions. While some see it as a progressive move, others, particularly the All India Mahila Sanskritik Sangathan (AIMSS), a women’s organisation, view it as a step in the wrong direction.
The AIMSS has launched a campaign against the relaxation of liquor prohibition. Led by seasoned activist Meenakshi Joshi, the group held a protest at Sardarbaug in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. Similar protests are planned at Vadodara and Surat on Thursday and Friday.
Between January 1 and 5, the group is planning to hold a signature campaign against the decision. On January 6, a Citizens’ Convention is planned to raise the demand to roll back the decision. The group warns that if the decision goes unchallenged, it will open the avenues for the relaxation in liquor prohibition in totality.
Following the relaxation of liquor prohibition in GIFT City, a demand has been raised to relax liquor prohibition in DREAM (Diamond Research and Mercantile) City in Surat district, which also houses the recently inaugurated Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
SDB media convener Dinesh Navadiya, in a conversation with The Indian Express, suggested that the state government should allot around 25 hectares of land in DREAM City, and invite 7-star hoteliers. He believes this will benefit the SDB as foreign buyers will come and they can happily stay here and do business.
“Mumbai is presently the trading hub of diamonds where foreign clients come and stay there with all the facilities. Similar types of facilities should be made in DREAM City,” Navadiya said.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to these contrasting views and what the future holds for liquor prohibition in Gujarat.
Gujarat Govt Nod To Liquor In GIFT City. Click Here
