Lt Governor Kiran Bedi today advocated prohibition in Puducherry, saying the government needed to phase out dependence on revenue from the sales of alcohol and other intoxicants.
In her speech on the eve of the Republic Day, the LG referred to the "sad scenario" of 50 per cent of boys and girls in schools she visited and surveyed whose fathers were alcohol addicts despite the income of the families being low.
"It is time for Puducherry to phase out dependence on income from selling alcohol and intoxicants," she said.
"The Puducherry government needs to have a policy for prohibition," she added.
Bedi, a former IPS officer, said Constitution directs the state to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health, particularly by prohibiting intoxicating drinks and drugs injurious to health.
Talking about farmers, she said, "It is the duty of the state to promote agriculture not just to write off loans but to ensure that the loans given to the farmers are properly used".
Noting that a lot "better could be done", she stressed the need for ensuring that the money raised through taxes is spent with integrity and there is no wastage.
"We have had a number of instances of diversion and loss of government funds. Public officials should learn to spend public money as if they are spending from their own pocket," Bedi said.
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