'Liquor lovers' fight to save the lone liquor outlet

While the district administration is dotted with applications from people of various localities to either close or shift liquor outlets from their locality, a few liquor lovers on Thursday staged a demonstration in front of the deputy commissioner's office here asking authorities to open a liquor outlet in their village.

The residents of Hebballi village in Dharwad taluk staged a demonstration in front of the deputy commissioner’s office demanding that a liquor shop be opened in their village.

Urging the administration not to close the lone liquor shop in the village yielding to pressure by some people, the ‘liquor lovers’ said, they will have to travel 18 km to have a dose of ‘90’, and claimed that it would work out costly for them.

“We are used to consuming liquor worth Rs 100 every day. By closing the lone shop in the village we will have to travel to either Dharwad or Hubballi and cover a distance of 18 km. That will cost us another Rs 40. If we spend so much on liquor what we should give to our family? Who will be responsible if something happens to us while returning home after drinking?” asked A B Desai.

Basappa, another resident of Hebballi said: “The lone liquor shop in the village has been closed. Still, some eight persons come on motorcycles and sell liquor illegally at a higher price. That means drinking has not stopped. The government would do well to open the shop and sell good quality liquor at MRP and make a profit” he said.