Global Citizen India sought liquor permission for event: Cong

Congress today alleged that Global Citizen India, which is organising Global Citizen Festival India 2016 here on November 19, has sought permission from Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) for serving alcohol at the event where British rock band Coldplay is scheduled to perform.

State government is the host partner for the inaugural fest, having the theme of poverty alleviation and encouraging youth to contribute to good social causes, is to be held on MMRDA ground in Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC).

Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) spokesman Sachin Sawant told reporters that the organisers approached MMRDA on Saturday and are awaiting approval.
 

"If poverty alleviation and encouraging youth to contribute to good social causes is the theme of the event then what sort of message is sought to be conveyed by asking for permission for supply of alcohol (at the event)," Sawant asked.

Given that Maharashtra government is the host partner for the inaugural event, Sawant said that previous governments had never been "active participants" in such events.

He demanded a thorough audit of the function, where 75 per cent concession in rate for the use of ground and waiver of Entertainment Tax has been granted.

"The decisions to support the event were isolated and not backed by policy. We are not asking for a ban on the event, but strict implementation of rules and policies," the Congress leader said.

Hitting out at government for its "anti-farmer" policies, Sawant said, "When Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was in opposition, he had demanded rate of Rs 6000 per quintal for soyabean.

"In the last two years, the government recommended Rs 4599 per quintal while the Central government has alloted (price of) Rs 2775. However, farmers are getting less than the Minimum Support Price (MSP)."

He alleged that despite the government's promise of 12-hour electricity, actual power supply is available only for six hours.

"This is the reason why there is a spurt in suicide by farmers. In 2014, the number of suicides stood at 1981. In 2015, it was 3228. However, 2053 farmers have taken their own life till August this year," Sawant said.