Calls for liquor ban grow as data shows over 10% men in Jammu and Kashmir consume alcohol

Srinagar, Feb 13: In a stark revelation that underscores J&K's growing alcohol consumption crisis, official data shows that over 10.5 percent of men in the Union Territory are regular alcohol consumers.

The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) has shown that women also drink liquor.

The government earnings from liquor sales have skyrocketed by 150% in the past decade - from Rs 991.55 crore to a staggering Rs 2486.34 crore with now three members of the Legislative Assembly having introduced bills seeking a complete ban on alcohol. The proposed bills have generated a debate on whether public health remains a priority or revenue generation to impose a ban.

People's Democratic Party (PDP) MLA from Kupwara Mir Mohammad Fayaz, Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) legislator from Langate Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad and ruling National Conference (NC) MLA from Lal Chowk Ahsan Pardesi have submitted separate private members' bills for a ban on alcohol in Jammu and Kashmir.

The bills will be tabled in the forthcoming session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, which will meet in Jammu for the budget session from March 3.

The NFHS data, presented in the Rajya Sabha by the Minister of Health & Family Welfare, paints a concerning picture: 10.5% of men and 0.2% of women in the 15-49 age group are alcohol consumers. While these percentages might seem modest compared to national averages, they represent a significant population vulnerable to alcoholism in a region already grappling with a growing drug menace.

More concerning is alcohol sales figure reflected in the UT’s swelling excise collections.

The revenue jump from Rs 991.55 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 2486.34 crore in 2023-24 isn't just a financial statistics; it represents the problem of thousands of additional families potentially affected by alcohol-related issues.

The figure becomes particularly alarming when viewed alongside J&K's emerging drug crisis.

The NFHS-5 (2019-21) survey reveals another troubling trend- while male consumption has held steady at 10.5%, female consumption has doubled from 0.1% to 0.2% since NFHS-4 (2015-16).

Health experts warn these official figures underestimate the true scale of the problem, as social stigma leads to significant underreporting, particularly among women.

For law enforcement and health officials, the correlation between rising alcohol revenue and increasing substance abuse cases presents a clear warning sign. Reports indicate a growing overlap between alcohol abuse and drug addiction, with many drug abuse cases having roots in alcohol consumption.

The proposed prohibition, they argue, could serve as a crucial first step in addressing the broader substance abuse challenge facing the UT.

Health experts and social workers in the region have long advocated for stricter controls on alcohol, citing its role in domestic violence, health issues, and economic hardship for families. The social cost, they argue, far outweighs the monetary benefits to the exchequer, pointing to successful prohibition models in states like Gujarat.

Critics might argue about the potential revenue loss from an alcohol ban, but advocates counter that the Rs 2486.34 crore in excise revenue pales in comparison to the socio-economic costs of alcohol consumption. These costs include healthcare expenses, lost productivity, and the devastating impact on families affected by addiction, they said.