SRINAGAR: Amid protests by women in large numbers demanding a ban on liquor and declaring Ladakh a dry Union Territory, the administration on Tuesday asked the Ladakhi Buddhist Association’s women’s wing to have wider consultations to build consensus on the issue and find a middle ground.The protesters are affiliated with various religious and social organisations, including the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), Anjuman Imamia, Anjuman Moin-ul-Islam and the Christian community.A Ladakh govt spokesperson said chief secretary Ashish Kundra held a meeting with women representatives of various religious organisations on Tuesday, which was also attended by representatives of tourism bodies.According to the spokesman, the participants were informed that the number of retail liquor vends was two till last year and only is functional this year. “Similarly, the number of functional bars attached to restaurants offering retail sale of liquor, which was earlier 23, had increased by 17 newly issued licences, taking the total to 40.”
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While the chief secretary acknowledged the concerns expressed by the women representatives, he also said that the demand for declaring Ladakh a completely dry UT is a significant matter that requires careful deliberation and consultation with all stakeholders, for which all agreed to.Kundra cited the experience of other states like Bihar and Haryana where complete prohibition had led to serious consequences of spurious liquor and drugs being proliferated. “There are also issues of employment, tourism and economic activity. Consultation with the hotel industry is also crucial, particularly when tourism is the primary economic activity in the territory,” the spokesperson said, quoting the chief secretary.
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