Babulal Marandi dubs Jharkhand’s new liquor policy as attempt to benefit favourites

THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK

Ranchi, May 17: BJP state president and Jharkhand Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi has strongly criticized the Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand government’s newly introduced liquor policy, calling it a move designed to benefit select individuals close to the ruling dispensation.

Addressing a press conference, Marandi alleged that this is the third time during the Soren government’s tenure that the foundation for a liquor-related scam has been laid. “The first two instances are already under investigation. Now, a new policy has been introduced to oblige its favourites, giving legal cover to the liquor mafia,” he claimed.

Accusations of Monopoly and Legal Cover for Mafias

Marandi pointed out that under the new policy, shops will be auctioned in units, each consisting of up to four outlets. An individual or group can bid for up to 12 such units. “This means someone could operate up to 48 shops in one district and 140 across the state,” he said.

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He warned that traders are already prepared with multiple companies under different names, allowing them to participate in auctions and corner the market across the state. “This will result in a monopoly over liquor trade by a few select names, granting mafias legal control over the business,” Marandi said.

Calls for Transparency and Inclusive Opportunity

He asserted that the new policy will cause significant revenue loss to the state and only benefit influential businessmen close to those in power, leaving no room for unemployed youth, small entrepreneurs, or rural individuals.

Marandi urged the state government to implement a one-license-one-shop policy to promote fairness and transparency in the liquor trade.

He also demanded that shop licenses be issued to individuals who directly operate the business, with mandatory involvement of family members in shop operations to eliminate middlemen and dummy operators.

Focus on Social Justice and Women’s Empowerment

The BJP leader also emphasized that liquor shops in notified areas should be allocated based on population ratios to ensure fair participation from local communities and to reduce the influence of mafias.

He further suggested that rural women, especially those forced to sell hadiya (traditional rice beer) on roadsides, should be given priority in shop allocations to enable them to earn a respectable livelihood.

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BJP Threatens Statewide Protests

Marandi warned that if the state government fails to amend the policy and address these concerns, the BJP will launch a statewide protest. “The party will not remain silent. We will take this issue from block to district level,” he said.

The press conference was also attended by BJP media in-charge Shivpujan Pathak and spokesperson Avinesh Kumar Singh.