Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB/SP)

Udupi, Feb 13: Former deputy superintendent of police (DySP) of Kudligi in Ballari district, Anupama Shenoy, said that she lost her job because of the powerful liquor lobby. "After the judiciary and police departments took concerted action against mining mafia at Kudligi, liquor business began to flourish. The mafia dons used to transform temples into illicit liquor auction centres. In the name of temple development, they used to destroy lives of innocent people. The practice of Devadasi system was misused to satiate hunger for sex," she said.

Speaking at the awareness week for children of liquor addicts here which went under way on Sunday February 12, Anupama recalled that when she was in Kudligi, 15 first information reports had been registered against 15 illegal liquor shops within a month. "Because of these action, I started to face other problems. When I sought transfer to a place of my choice, officials were willing to give, but the minister blocked my efforts. I resigned because of liquor lobby and personal reasons. The government took personal reasons as the prime reason for my resignation and accepted it. I am pondering over ways and means to be able to work for the department again. In the meanwhile, I keep remembering the minister who harassed me," she stated.

The programme was organized at Jagannath Auditorium near Mission Compund here on Sunday under the aegis of Dr A V Baliga Memorial Hospital, Badagabettu Cooperative Societiy and Alcoholic Anonymous.

Anupama regretted the fact that the government heavily leans on excise department for funding its programmes. She pointed out that the chief minister himself has been stressing on the need to increase the income from the department, which in turn, works to inspire people to take to drinking. She said that the government, which aggressively follows the liquor sale policies, has been failing in implementing employment schemes. "Therefore, liquor addiction need not be solely on account of personal issues. Even government policies can give impetus to this habit," she concluded.

Psychiatrist of the hospital, Virupaksha Devaramane, welcomed and delivered introductory address. Chief manager of Badagabettu Cooperative Society, Jayakar Shetty Indrali, director of Dr A B Baliga Hospital, Dr P V Bhandary, and administrative officer of the hospital, Soujanya Shetty, were present.

Deepashree proposed vote of thanks. Monica and Panchami presented the programme.