The state of Rajasthan feels proud as it gets one more village that gets liquour free. It is Foga village of Churu district which has recently become liquour free village of the state. This is fourth liquour free village. The other three villages are Kachhbali, Rojda and Mandawar. This is a great fight against intoxication. In March 2016, the first step towards liquor free village was taken.
This step is taken by village through a referendum. A decade-old liquor shop was shut in Foga through voting. The polling was organised by the excise department in which shutting the liquour shop got more votes. More than 97% votes were against liquor shop. With this step, Foga village has won the fight against alcohol. Rajasthan has made this happen within time span of two years.
The national president of Sharab Bandi Andolan Pooja Chhabra was present during the voting. She called it as a major victory against liquor.
Rajasthan Excise Act, 1975
The Rajasthan Excise Act, 1975 provides for the closure of a country liquor shop. As this provision, 51% of all registered voters should opt to close down the shop. Apart from this, a referendum on the same should be sought by at least 20% of the voters of the gram panchayat or municipal ward in a letter to the district collector.
