Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (RJP)

Mangaluru, Dec 25: The deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district, through an order, has issued a ban on liquor between 4 pm on December 25 to 4 pm on December 27 on account of legislative council election, and again from midnight on December 29 to midnight on December 30 because of counting of votes.

The order has stated that all sales centres and shops having licence to sell liquor should be closed down during the above period. The order has further prohibited sale or supply of liquor in hotels, non-proprietary clubs, star hotels, and clubs.

But this decision has angered many people in city. The MLC election has only a few thousand voters in the district, and this being a festive season, the ban has poured cold water on celebrations. Many weddings and other events also take place during this time. Mangaluru City Corporation has 65 voters, while zilla panchayat limits has 34 and taluk panchayat 37. Altogthere, Mangaluru taluk has only 1,204 voters, while the Dakshina Kannada district has 6,658 voters.

Jayanth Nayak, a resident of Dongarakeri speaking to daijiworld said, "There are lacs of social drinkers in the city, and we are asked to sacrifice our enjoyment for the sake of around 70 voters in Mangaluru."

Joseph D'Silva from Bejai says, "The administration cannot control the situation. They want to punish us for their failure. How does liquor ban help the elections and counting? Is it a big general election? Why do they tell us not to drink during holidays? What about the weddings which are private ? How do moderate drinkers affect the elections?"

Mohan Shetty from Padavinangadi said, "I do not know what logic they use to come to this kind of decisions. In Bengaluru they have extended the night life hours till 1 am till New year. And here they tell us not to drink. Just because of small number of voters, liquor is totally prohibited in the city."

Hundreds of weddings and other happy events take place during the period from Christmas and New Year.