Jammu May 14 (KNS):Provincial President of Youth National Conference Former MLA Poonch, Ajaz Jan on Thursday asked Jammu and Kashmir Government to focus on best possible efforts to facilitate the migrant workers and needy families instead of paying concern towards opening of liquor trade in the Jammu and Kashmir.
Jan, in his statement issued to KNS said, "I don't understand how the government considering alcohol as essential service? Addiction can never be essential. In fact this lockdown situation was a perfect opportunity for the government to utilize it for de-addiction." Jan said the government could only think of it as a revenue generation source but did not notice what benefits there are from its closure. "If this source of revenue generation has been given an opportunity why not others?" Jan asked. "Whenever we talk about domestic or sexual violence it is directly related to liquor. During lockdown the violence on women multiplied. When a woman is between the four walls with her abuser, violence against women will aggravate."
Jan added that crimes like marital rapes may increase. "Liquor consumption can cause more marital rapes as well. Even poor states have witnessed crowds outside liquor shops. I don't know from where they are getting money during this economic stress to buy alcohol. This is pure hypocrisy. Not just this, addicts may steal jewellery or other precious things and will beat women for money. I agree that it is one of the highest revenue generating item but the government is not seeing how many murders, rapes and other crimes happen due to alcohol."
Jan said that liquor trade is also important for revenue generation but dire need of the hour is food and wagon for the needy families and especially the laborers who include those from different parts of country.
He said that needy families should be facilitated in best possible manner with availability of basic essentials should be ensured for them.
Jan added that labourers and migrant workers belonging to different parts of country are stuck in various district of Jammu and Kashmir and government should ensure that their evacuation to their respective states goes proper without many hardships to poor masses.
While hailing the efforts of Government in bringing back stranded laborers, students and other person, Jan further demanded that some people are stuck in Nepal and are running short of essentials for which government should take up the matter with concerned government for their help.
He further said that illiterate people in rural belts of hilly districts, like Rajouri and Poonch,and backward areas of Jammu and Kashmir are still not fully aware about Corona Virus pandemic for which government should expedite the efforts and mediums like TV, Radio and Social Media should be utilized properly., he added (KNS)