Mumbai, Jan. 10: The President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), Maharashtra Maulana Ilyas Khan Falahi has voiced concern over the Eknath Shinde-led government’s decision to revive the Wine Industrial Promotion Scheme (WIPS). This decision is expected to further contribute to the already increasing alcohol consumption in the state.
It is puzzling why the government not only decided to revive the scheme, which allows for a refund of 16% of the 20% VAT, but also approved the refunding of rebates for the past four years (2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24) to the wineries. On one hand, the Maharashtra Government issued a Resolution (GR) in August 2011 that stressed the de-addiction of youth, and on the other hand, they are openly promoting the consumption of alcoholic drinks.”
Maulana Ilyas Falahi said, “We believe that alcohol is the mother of all evils. The destructive impact of alcohol is taking a toll on our families. According to a WHO report, alcohol claims the lives of more than 260,000 Indians annually. Among these fatalities, 100,000 are attributed to road accidents, 30,000 to cancer, and 140,000 to liver cirrhosis.
“The detrimental effects of alcohol-related accidents, along with the government’s expenditure on medical treatment, law enforcement, and legal actions, outweigh the profits generated by the liquor industry. Even if the financial gains were hypothetically greater than the losses, the silent destruction of individuals, families, morals, societal harmony, educational advancement, and economic progress cannot be measured in monetary terms.”
The JIH Maharashtra President further said, “We thought an enlightened and progressive state like Maharashtra would introduce prohibition in the state to minimize the ill-effects of alcohol. However, the state government is promoting alcoholism instead of curbing it.
“People and lawmakers cutting across party lines must raise their voices against the harms of liquor and demand a complete ban on alcohol. The Directive Principles of our Constitutions also envisions an alcohol-free nation. We hope the welfare of the citizens takes precedence over economic profits. We urge the Chief Minister to roll back the decision.”
