Liquor ban not feasible in Punjab: Amarinder

Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh today said prohibition was not feasible and practical in the state even as he rejected comparing consumption of liquor with drugs.
Stating that banning liquor in Punjab was "neither feasible nor practicable" he claimed that the states where prohibition was imposed, the exercise has not worked effectively and led to smuggling and production of illicit liquor.
He said consumption of liquor cannot be compared with drugs and noted that the sales of liquor was an important source of revenue for the state.
The PPCC president also welcomed the announcement of Sheila Dikshit's name as the Congress chief ministerial candidate for Uttar Pradesh assembly polls next year.

He said the name of the CM candidate for Punjab, which also goes to polls in 2017, will be announced soon.
On who could be the CM face of the party in Punjab, he said it was the sole discretion and prerogative of the party high command.

Condemning the arrest of Ardasiya Balbir Singh, who had refused to offer Siropa to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal recently, he alleged "it was a clear case of victimisation and vendetta done at the behest of Badal and SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar."
Addressing workers meeting and interacting with the people of Malout assembly segment during 'Halqe-vich-Captain' programme here, the former Punjab chief minister underlined the need for reviving the agriculture in the state, saying it will have an overall impact on economy.

Referring to Enforcement Directorate's notice to his son Raninder Singh, Amarinder said his son will make himself available to the department.
However, he added, while on the first date of summoning, he was down with fever on the second day he was busy with the preparations for the national shooting team for the Olympics.
Pointed out that Raninder was the president of the National Rifle Association of India, he said his son was busy in facilitating and completing all the formalities of the Indian contingent going to Rio.
He said before leaving for Rio, where the Olympics are being held, Raninder will make himself available to the ED.