PIL against subsidised liquor to defence personnel

A public interest litigation (PIL) was Friday filed before the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court against supply of heavily subsidised alcoholic drinks to defence and paramilitary forces.

In the PIL, social activist Nutan Thakur and her husband Amitabh Thakur said while they welcome provision of subsidised food items and household goods to these people, they oppose grant of subsidised liquor at the cost of the public exchequer.

"It hardly seems to be based on any functional requirement and also has detrimental effect on them other than misuse of public money," Nutan Thakur told IANS.

The petition also questions the rank-based grant of liquor where subordinate staff get four bottles per month while officers are entitled to 10 and 14 bottles, depending on seniority.

The duo said this discriminatory grant of liquor makes it clear it is not based on any functional utility but is an additional unwarranted perk.

The two have hence prayed that a high-level committee study the issue and stop all unwarranted provision of liquor.