For the affluent, in the name of Farmers

 

Opinions are being expressed from various quarters regarding the state government’s ‘shelf-in-shop’ decision i.e., to allow sale of wine at supermarkets and grocery shops. The alliance government claims that this decision has been taken in the interest of the farmers. And the statement – wine is not liquor – indirectly supports its decision. But the reality is that most of the decisions of this alliance government are taken keeping only the affluent in mind.

On one hand the state government is citing reasons of inadequate funds in its coffers to meet salary hike demand of agitating ST employees who are also demanding a merger of the loss-making Corporation with the state government. And on the other hand, the government has waived off the fine imposed on Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik for his illegal construction.

A few months ago, the alliance government had reduced the excise duty on imported Scotch whiskey by 50 per cent. As a result, the expensive Scotch whiskey made abroad became cheaper. Now even if such decisions impact the exchequer, the authorities in the government are not concerned.

If sale of Scotch increases, it will directly benefit the Scotch manufacturers abroad. The government had argued that by reducing the excise duty on Scotch whiskey, it would result in increase in sale of Scotch in the state which would thereby increase the government revenue from almost Rs. 100 crore to Rs. 250 crore. But one should not forget that the decision is of concern only for rich, who buy Scotch whiskey.

The alliance government had, in 2020-21 waived the licence fee to liquor dealers and lifted the liquor ban in Chandrapur district. The alliance government seems to believe that liquor consumers and sellers are the key factors in the state’s economy. The government also does not seem to hesitate to take decisions only in the favour of liquor sellers and the builder lobby.

Even during the lockdown period, the state government had waived licence fees to liquor shops.

Hence it is not at all surprising to see that the decision will once again only benefit the wine producers and distributors.

A big lobby exists among wine producers and distributors. Since many people from the government have connections with the people involved in this lobby, such decisions were expected. The government is only concerned about its revenue even if it is at the cost of the youth who might get addicted. Tomorrow, these authorities, under the pretext of helping the farmers, will permit sale of marijuana from grocery store.

There is a possibility that the drug peddlers operating across the globe might convince the authorities in the state saying that ‘marijuana is not a drug’ and there might be news reports that the authorities are planning to sell it from the grocery stores in the state.

Apparently, the decision to allow sale of wine from grocery shops is ‘in the interest of the farmers’, as stated by the government. If the government is so compassionate towards the farmers, they should have made an effort to provide fair price to the cultivators for their produce in the fields. But unfortunately, such attempts are not seen.

The government, that has yet not compensated the farmers who have incurred huge losses owing to untimely rains and floods, must not talk about the interests of the farmers. Looking at the way this decision has been taken, one can definitely say that it has been taken keeping in mind the big industrialists and the distributors.

When there were demands of waiving off the electricity bills of the poor, especially during the lockdown period, the state government refused to budge citing reasons of financial burden on state coffers. But did it not realise the impact on revenue after the reduction of excise duty on Scotch whiskey from 300 per cent to 150 per cent?

The alliance government conveniently changes its stance when it comes to extending help to the poor and the less fortunate. But when it comes to benefitting the affluent, it is more than ready to extend all the necessary support.

The decision to sell wine is not simple and straightforward. The government’s decisions in the last two years are sufficient reason to raise suspicion. When police personnel are given targets of recovering Rs. 100 crore, the government can go to any extent to safeguard the interests of the affluent.

If we look at the number of farmers growing grapes in Maharashtra, one can say that the decision is definitely not to help the farmers but to benefit the wine producers and distributors. Instead of waiving the electricity bills of farmers, the government resorted to disconnecting their connections.

The grim face of the alliance government once again came to the fore when it refused to reduce VAT on petrol and diesel citing reason of inadequate funds in the exchequer. Soon it will come to the notice of the people as to whose interests were actually behind the sale of wine. Till then, we will continue hearing and reading the nonsense that the authorities have to say ‘in the interests of the farmers.

(Article Pre-Published in Times Of India, 8 Feb.2022)

Keshav Upadhye, chief spokesperson