All panchayat office-bearers quit over liquor vend opening

All office-bearers of the Chebri gram panchayat, which falls in the Basantpur block in Shimla district, has resigned from their posts in protest against the opening of liquor vend in their panchayat.

“The government did not seek any NOC from the gram sabha for opening the vend. The panchayat residents, especially women, are totally against having a liquor vend in the panchayat. There’s no point in holding the posts if we can’t do what people want. So, all officer-bearers, including pradhan, vice-pradhan and five ward members, tendered their resignation to the district panchayat officer today,” said pradhan Chawinder Pal. Along with the panchayat office-bearers, mahila mandal members, too, have resigned.

The pradhan said women had been protesting for close to two weeks against the opening of the liquor vend, but their agitation drew no positive response. “We have met the official concerned and even our MLA, but no action has been taken to address our concern,” he said. He further said that instead of addressing our genuine concern, FIRs had been filed against the people, including women, for protesting against the liquor vend.

Deshraj, vice-pradhan, said the women were totally against the opening of the vend as they feared for their safety. “A big power project is coming up in our area, where over 500 migrant workers are employed. There’s a massive fear among the residents that if the vend is opened in the area, the workers will have an easy access to liquor and it could cause problems for our women folk,” said Deshraj.

The District Panchayat Officer, Shimla, could not be contacted for his comments despite repeated attempts.

Himachal Tribune