VBL seeks ‘Alcohol-Free UT’ status for Ladakh

Skarma Namtak urges LG to adopt uniform liquor policy, cites concerns over impact on families, women and youth

LEH: The Voice of Buddhist Ladakh (VBL) has urged Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena to declare Ladakh an “Alcohol-Free UT”, citing growing concerns over the social consequences of alcohol consumption and opposition to the expansion of liquor availability in different parts of the Union Territory.

In a letter addressed to the Lieutenant Governor, VBL Convenor Skarma Namtak said there had been “strong resentment, representations and suggestions” from various organisations and citizens over the new liquor policy of the UT Administration, particularly regarding the proposed expansion of alcohol availability.

VBL said women’s organisations, community groups and monastic institutions had repeatedly highlighted what it described as adverse social consequences associated with alcohol consumption, particularly its impact on families, women, children and youth. The organisation argued that Ladakh now had an opportunity to adopt a “clear and uniform policy” by declaring the entire Union Territory alcohol-free.

 “Such a policy,” VBL said in its representation, would also prevent any perception of selective exemption, preferential treatment or monopoly of a few individuals. The organisation maintained that if the stated objective of the liquor policy was to protect families, youth, women and the social fabric of Ladakh, the policy should be applied uniformly to all individuals and commercial entities without exceptions or preferences.

VBL has consequently appealed to the UT Administration to take into account what it described as the concerns and wishes of the people of Ladakh and declare the Union Territory an “Alcohol-Free UT”. The demand comes amid an ongoing public discussion in Ladakh over liquor availability and the implications of the UT Administration’s liquor policy. VBL’s latest representation places the issue in the broader context of social welfare, protection of families and preservation of Ladakh’s social fabric.