Following the recent empowerment of tribal areas through implementation of the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) 1996, tribals in three districts of Adilabad, Mancherial and Kumaram Bheem Asifabad in Telangana have enforced prohibition in their villages.
After receiving training by Integrated Tribal Development Agency in understanding PESA, tribals from Adilabad, Mancherial and Kumaram Bheem Asifabad districts have been passing resolutions in gram panchayat sabhas to not allow the government to open liquor shops in their villages. Posters and banners have come up with the slogan ‘Kalnisa pani lago’ (say no to liquor). At least 50 shops in six mandals of Kumaram Bheem Asifabad and Adilabad districts have been closed.
“Rampant alcoholism and addiction to liquor has destroyed the lives of Adivasis. Addiction has resulted in their economic ruin. They cannot afford medical treatment and many die prematurely. As much of the family income is spent on liquor, parents are not sending children to school. We want to put an end to this cycle of self-destruction of Adivasis,” said Sidam Arju, a senior adivasi leader and head of Girijana Aikya Vedika, who is leading the campaign to enforce prohibition in tribal areas.
Read more of this in a report by Sreenivas Janyala published in The Indian Express... (Link given below)
