Hakeem flays Govt’s new liquor policy , Says” Promoting liquor trade against tenants of religions unaccpetable”

Srinagar: Chairman Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen Tuesday flayed government over it’s decision to implement the new excise policy 2020-21 across Jammu and Kashmir from Monday, September 1.as it proposes opening up of new 187 liquor outlets in various areas of Jammu and Kashmir , out of which 67 are proposed in Kashmir valley. He said decision to open new liquor shops particularly in different areas of Kashmir valley has severely hurt religious sentiments of the people as liquor was strictly prohibited in Islam and many other religions being practiced by the people in Jammu and Kashmir.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Hakeem strongly condemned decision of the government to go ahead with its new liquor policy in Jammu and Kashmir from today adding that the decision would not only play havoc with lives of youth but has also hurt religious sentiments of the people. While forcefully demanding to stop implementation of its new liquor policy. Hakeem Yaseen has asked the government to explore other means of revenue generation than promoting liquor trade in the land of sacred saints and Gurus. He said it was most unfortunate that government has offered lucrative incentives to push youth of Jammu and Kashmir into liquor trade by reducing the licensing fee by half to woo people towards the business . He has mocked the government version that the new excise policy was aimed at addressing the unemployment problem through wooing youth into the liquor business, as the registration fee for obtaining the license has been reduced from 7 to 5 lac rupees, for them.
Hakeem said instead of offering 50% for opening up bars and liquor shops at tourist destinations, ,government should woo youth towards others respectable jobs.and dignified ventures. He said the decision was in contrast to the clarification given by government spokesman, Rohit Kansal,few months ago urging people of Jammu and mishmash not to believe any rumours or half-baked news about opening of new liquor shops in J&K. Hakeem cautioned the government against opening new liquor shops in the valley adding that otherwise people would come on roads to protest against the move.