http://www.ibnlive.com/news/up-govt-wont-give-dalits-a-chance-to-drink/62767-3.html?xml
UP govt won't give Dalits a chance to drink Abhishek Patni CNN-IBN Lucknow: The BSP Government in Uttar Pradesh has a new policy for Dalit areas but it's not getting cheers from all. The government plans to relocate or shut liquor vends in thousands of Dalit colonies across the state. The government believes poor and uneducated Dalits are more likely to become alcoholics if they have easy access to liquor shops. "People living in these colonies waste their money in drinking. Drunken fights in these colonies have become a problem. If there are no liquor shops they will not be able to drink. This policy will the poor," says SC Chaturvedi, Joint Director the Excise Department. People who love their daily pegs don't agree. "I came to drink and found the shop closed. The shops should be reopened, for how can one live if one doesn't drink," says rickshaw puller Ram Sahaya. The real challenge before the officials would have to ensure that they carry out this task in a smooth manner. Chief Minister Mayawati may impress teetotalers with this plan but she would not want losing the support of Dalit drinkers.
