Women of Hire Myageri and Benakal villages picket gram panchayat
Villagers have imposed a Rs 25,000 penalty on anyone quarrelling while inebriated, and a Rs 50,000 fine on liquor sellers. “As many as 4-5 youths died from addiction in recent years, and the health of many others deteriorated. The women said they passed a resolution imposing a Rs 50,000 penalty on sellers and a Rs 25,000 penalty on inebriated nuisance creators. In Hire Myageri, too, Sharanappa Gurikar, Ningaraj Ganiger, Ashok and other residents said women and all villagers passed a resolution banning liquor sales and imposing a Rs 25,000 fine on sellers if found. “It was a result of the awareness programme of Karnataka State Temperance Board held in Hatti village on Aug 14. On the suggestion of Gavi Mutt Swami, the board gave its ‘Samyama’ award to Hatti and 10 other villages in the Kukanur and Kushtagi taluks.
Koppal: Women-led villagers have clashed with liquor sellers and consumers in Hire Myageri and Benakal villages of Yelburga and Kukanur taluks, respectively, complaining of youth deaths due to liquor addiction. As a result, the village has almost stopped the illegal sale of liquor. Meanwhile, Karnataka Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi also announced awards for such alcohol-free villages. Stay updated with the latest Hubballi news.
Basamma Kallur, Bheemakka Hanchinal and Renukamma Kogile, residents of Benakal, told TOI that illegal liquor sales were rampant in the village and available at all times, even in grocery shops. Former gram panchayat president Shekhappa Hotti, former member Mallappa Baligeri, Halesh Patil, Ramappa Bhajantri and other residents said the women’s agitation against liquor led to police action against illegal sales. Sharanappa Bachalapur, a member of Gandhi Balaga Koppal, said a delegation from Balaga visited both villages and supported the peaceful agitation.
They took their complaint to the DC and Gavisiddeshwara Swami of the Gavi Mutt. Villagers of Hire Myageri convene a Gandhi Chintan Sabha Sunday to decide on a ban on the sale of illegal liquor in their village Backed by the Gandhi Balaga team, the women also picketed the gram panchayat. When the business went behind closed doors, women alerted the police, who raided the spot and collected the fine. Many families were turning into victims of the addiction. Irked by the situation, we picketed the gram panchayat a month ago requesting a ban on the illegal sale of liquor, but in vain. We approached the district administration and Abhinava Gavisiddeshwara Swami of Koppal seeking their intervention,” they added. “Seeing their efforts, many men joined in their agitation. After a week of police action, sales and consumption resumed, so the women themselves went to the sellers and stopped the sale. Meanwhile, Gavisiddeshwara Swami suggested members of Gandhi Balaga Koppal to visit the village,” they explained. Though an addiction-free society is still a mirage, such efforts take society to a healthier and wealthier one,” he commented. Download the TOI App.
