Lok Sabha today passed a bill that provides for transfering from the central government to the states the control over industries engaged in the production of potable alcohol.
The Industries (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, was passed by a voice vote in the absence of Congress and Trinamool Congress which were boycotting the House over some "objectionable" remarks by a BJP member against Rahul Gandhi and Nehru-Gandhi family.
Replying to a discussion on the Bill, Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the amendment would bring potable alcohol under the jurisdiction of states and help address the issue of litigations which have been filed.
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"This Bill is to define with clarity what is within the powers of the Centre and what is within the powers of the states," the Minister said while noting that taxation aspects come under a different Act.
The Bill proposes to amend the first schedule of the Act so that it would be "in conformity with the judgement of the Supreme Court (of 1997) and also ensure that the industries engaged in the manufacture of alcohol meant for potable purposes shall be under the total and exclusive control of states in all aspects".
According to the Minister, the Bill is to implement the Supreme Court ruling in 1997 whereby potable alcohol is to come under the control of states.
Participating in the discussion, Tatagatha Satpathy (BJD) said the government was bringing the Bill in the wake of the Bihar election results and the state's Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announcing alcohol ban.
The contention was rejected by Sitharaman saying it has no relation with Bihar poll results.
Sitharaman expressed hope that alcohol and ethanol would be used more for purposes that would improve energy and fuel efficiencies rather than going towards production of potable alcohol which is detrimental to the health of people.
Citing the Bill and various other initiatives, the Minister said the central government believes in federalism, sharing power with states and strengthen them.
The central government would continue to be responsible
for formulating policy and regulating foreign collaboration (FDI and foreign technology collaboration agreements) for all products of fermentation industries, including industrial and potable alcohol, according to the Bill.
The Bill also proposes that the authority to regulate 'intoxicating liquors' appears to vest both with the union and the states and "this has resulted in prolonged litigation".
Participating in the discussion, BJD's Satpathy expressed himself against the tendency to impose ban on liquor as was done in Bihar recently.
He gave the example of Gujarat where liquor is banned for decades, saying it has damaged the people since illicit liquor is available there.
"The ban on alcohol has not helped society anywhere," he contended, adding that such actions should not be done in a piece-meal manner.
In an apparent swipe at the BJP, he said that Gujarat is having intense poverty despite flashes of prosperity.
Without taking any names, Satpathy also said "one of the political parties with high hopes of winning Bihar elections had distributed liquor" but people voted elsewhere.
He also touched upon police raids at some parties where liquor is served, saying such actions are a kind of torture to young people.
P Ravindra Babu (TDP) said Lok Sabha is supreme and wondered why the government is saying that the Bill is being moved after a Supreme Court ruling.
"Why can't the legislation be moved suo moto... Should we give more importance to judiciary or people," he noted.
Jagdambika Pal (BJP) said once the amendment is done, it would help do away with disputes and litigations.
Manoj Rajoria (BJP) used the issue to contend that the Modi government Centre is giving more powers to states. He also said that it should be looked at how consumption of alcohol can be brought down.
Anand Rao Adsul (Shiv Sena), P K Biju (CPI-M) and Prahlad Singh Patel (BJP) also spoke.
