Chairman Joshi Foundation and assistant media adviser to Punjab government Vineet Joshi have urged Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to regulate the sale of liquor at vends across the state a bid to restrict its availability and 'uninhibited' flow.Vineet sought the intervention of the CM & Dy CM to fix the timing of sale of liquor at the vends from 12 noon to 7 pm during the day. In a letter to both CM & Dy CM, he stressed upon the growing public sentiment in support of regulating the sale of liquor. The BJP leader said the move will augment the government's initiative to tackle complex labyrinth of drugs in Punjab. The decision he said can be incorporated in the new upcoming excise policy so that a tangible effect can be expected soon.The demand put forth by the Joshi finds its genesis in suggestions that have cropped up during the 58 Anti-Drug Programs- including round table conferences involving society leaders held across Punjab and Chandigarh to understand the solution of drug menace- held under the aegis of Joshi Foundation in the last 13-months.
Such act, he said, will send a befitting strong message to the public that the government is serious to control the epidemic of drugs and liquor in Punjab.Joshi said he was surprised to see liquor vends open as early as 5 am in the state when even milk shops are still to open for the day.Besides, fixing the timing of liquor vends and taverns, he also urged the government to close liquor vends where even local residents are opposing its set up.Vineet Joshi said,"De-addiction experts (doctors) consider liquor as gateway drug to synthetic drugs. During sessions and round table conferences we discussed ways and methods to curb the proliferating disease of addiction of drugs and along with many suggestions, most of them suggested curbing the round the clock easy availability of less costly liquor in the neighborhood."Some liquor shops, they stressed, have been seen operating round the clock as their salesmen are available all the time. "Regulating the sale of liquor will come as a relief for the public and send a strong message that the government serious about tackling drug menace," they added.
Punjab is witnessing a robust Anti-Drug campaign titled as Quit & Kick Drug Movement under the Banner of "Joshi Foundation". Union Minister Vijay Sampla, MP Avinash Rai Khanna and Vineet Joshi are leading this Anti-Drug campaign. From mass pledge against drugs at Jallianwala Bagh & Pathankot to round table conferences at Chandigarh, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Nawanshahr, Mohali, Khanna, Bathinda, Sangrur, Budhlada, Abohar, Malout and Gidderbaha and other districts, and anti-drug abuse pledge programs at Batala, Zira, Balachaur, Hoshiarpur, Dasuya, Mohali, Nangal, Morinda, the campaign has found tremendous public support. On June 26 i.e. International Day Against Drug Abuse And Illicit Trafficking, throughout Punjab, Joshi Foundation organized 1100 Anti-Drug Pledge programs.