Gujarat is a liquor restricted state, i.e. dry state. There are no liquor shops like in other places. Now the question is why is liquor prohibited in Gujarat, why is Gujarat dry state, people would naturally want to know what is the reason behind prohibition of alcohol in Gujarat. But there also liquor is available under the government rules and laws; Yes, the government manages supply of liquor, in the name of religion and medicine. Regular permits are issued for this.
Since Gujarat is the birth place of Mahatama Gandhi and Gandhiji all his life supported liquor ban , so as mark of homage to him, in 1960 it was decided to ban liquor in Gujarat. Remember that Gandhiji’s birthday is celebrated on 2nd October as National dry day.
But Gujarat is not really a dry state because here the government itself has made some rules for supply of liquor, liquor is provided on giving information about religion and in the form of medicine. According to official statistics, there are 61,353 patients in Gujarat, they can overcome their diseases only by drinking alcohol. Hence, the Prohibition and Excise Department of the Gujarat government has issued a health permit for them to drink alcohol.
The government has given permission to the patients to drink alcohol but there is no shortage of alcohol for those who want to drink. In Gujarat liquor is supplied illegaly from Rajasthan and Daman, and is sold secretly. Everyday in front of Ahmedabad railway station, van type cars come in the evening, and people buy packed liquor bottles from them. The van seems to come one after another, and this practice is not new. Similar other outlets have comeup everywhere.Now lets talk about the permit of the Gujarat government, on which liquor can be obtained. To achieve this permit, you must first tell your religion. It is important to write religion in the fourth bracket of the application form. We can apply with this certificate, along with income tax documents, in which the applicant’s monthly income must be at least 25,000 monthly. Not only that, the doctors of the Civil Hospital also certify that the only treatment for this person’s disease is alcohol, and the doctors also decide the amount of alcohol ot be given to the patient. In Ahmedabad, Superintendent of Police NC Sabhani told that if the applicant seeking a health permit is offering his services in Gujarat or the Indian government, then he should also bring NOC, ie no objection certificate from the head of his department. Those who have Health Permits, they can purchase alcohol from the State Government’s Certified Liquor Shop with their permits. In Gujarat, 61,353 people and in Ahmedabad 12,803 people have health permits.
Cheerrss Desk