The Hindu : Front Page : Government should explain stand on prohibition: Ramadoss

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Monday, Mar 31, 2008
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Government should explain stand on prohibition: Ramadoss

Staff Reporter

Criticises government for seeking nation-wide policy on the issue

S. Ramadoss

Coimbatore: Criticising the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government for seeking a nation-wide policy for enforcing prohibition, the founder leader of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), S. Ramadoss, on Sunday urged the State government to clarify its stand on prohibition.

Talking to reporters here, Dr. Ramadoss pointed out that a DMK Minister on the floor of the House had stated that Tamil Nadu would ensure total prohibition provided Union Minister for Health Anbumani Ramadoss took up the issue with Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for evolving a nationwide policy on the issue.

Accusing the DMK Ministers of speaking without knowing history, Dr. Ramadoss said as per the Article 47 of the Constitution, Prohibition was a State subject.

Dr. Ramadoss said States such as Gujarat that enforced prohibition were on the path of progress and not dependent on the excise revenue. They never sought a national policy for prohibition. Tamil Nadu enforced prohibition till 1971 and it was relaxed only by the DMK government.

On political parties in Karnataka staking claim for Hogenakkal to stall the proposed water supply scheme, Dr. Ramadoss said not an inch or piece of land in Hogenakkal could be claimed. He pointed out that in river water disputes during the regime of the Dravidian parties, Tamil Nadu had lost heavily and such a situation should not continue. He exhorted Chief Ministers of all five Southern States to meet under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister for ensuring that Supreme Court rulings were complied with and nationalisation and linking of rivers became a reality.

On the escalating prices of essential commodities, he ridiculed the reasons such as inflation and international factors as “lame excuses” and said a ban on online trading would help to control prices.

Dr. Ramadoss said agriculture should be accorded industry status for extending loans on the same parameters.

A circular sent by the Centre in 1959 seeking fixation of targets in agricultural production for every farmer and village had never been complied with, he said.

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