Deputy village-head Ranjan Kumar said the people are bring made aware of the panchayat's resolution through dugduggis (beating of drums) in villages, including Sahora, Bareya, Ramjichak, Sotichak, Laskarichak, Parsa and Bali. The population of this panchayat is about 2,000.
The deputy mukhiya said, "Liquor is the root cause of all the social evils. A person commits crime under the influence of liquor or is compelled to do wrong, even beating up womenfolk in the family. Several families have been ruined this way. You will see the results of the new resolution soon."
Some villagers said the Bali panchayat has a history of voracious drinkers. But now, the women are pleased as punch. "My husband, a shopkeeper, used to return home late in the night, drunk. He is a habitual drunkard. But, he has stopped drinking after the announcement of the panchayat's new resolution," said Sita Devi, a resident of Sahora.
(Source-Hindustan Times,30/01/07)
