The Communist Party of India will stage a protest against the liquor policy of AINRC-BJP government near the Excise department in Puducherry on February 18, CPI secretary A. M. Saleem said here on Monday.
Addressing a press conference here, CPI’s Puducherry secretary said the government’s decision to open more liquor shops and distilleries was against the interests of the people of Puducherry. The Union Territory has already got more than 800 liquor outlets and resto bars. The opening of more IMFL outlets would only create law and order issues in the region, he said.
“There are reports that the government was planning to issue more permits for starting new IMFL outlets and distilleries. Such a decision will not augur well for the Union Territory. The setting up of more distilleries will cause further depletion of groundwater and add to the existing water problem. It was not a wise decision to generate additional revenue to the tune of ₹500 crore from excise,” he said.
Instead of relying on revenue from excise, the government should revive the textile industry. Steps should be taken to set up a textile park which would help the government in generating more revenue and jobs, he said.
Three Assembly seats
The party has set its sight on three constituencies for the next Assembly polls in Union Territory. “We are working towards contesting from three constituencies in the 2026 Assembly polls after talking to INDIA bloc leaders. We are gearing up to field the identified candidates after consulting our alliance parties,” he said.
The party also urged the Puducherry government to file a review petition against the Supreme Court ruling that residence-based reservation in PG medical admissions as unconstitutional.
Published – February 10, 2025 08:11 pm IST