1 Nation, 1 Election & 1 Bottle
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Free Thinker
In addition to our normal happenings like firing, killing, kidnapping, bandh, blockade, extortion, curfew and net-shutdown etc, the news about a simultaneous election for the entire country has arrived. The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, was introduced in Lok Sabha on 17th December, 2024. This Bill contemplates one Nation and one election (ONOE) for the whole country. It also provides a fixed 5-year term for Lok Sabha with all State Assemblies. If the Lok Sabha or State Assembly is dissolved before the completion of its term, a mid-term poll will be held only for the remainder of the fixed five-year tenure.
This is fine, but nobody talks about one Nation one liquor rate. The intrinsic link between drinks and democracy has been overlooked. One bottle, one reasonable rate throughout the Nation should be the norm. Excise (duty on alcohol) policy must be centralized to avoid alcohol related scams like Delhi-Daru-Diddle. Our Constitutional Experts have inadvertently ignored the importance of Daru in democracy. This is unfortunate.
Majority of the Candidates in the country knows about the significance of country-liquor or foreign-liquor in the elections. A few leaders may ignore this indispensable role of liquor as they are sure of their victory. However, the remaining contestants have to depend on it, they have to win by any means – that is their roji-roti.
It will be surprising to know that even in the dry States liquor is distributed in huge quantities during election time. This may be confirmed from Nagaland, Mizoram, and even Bihar. In fact, politics without drinks is unthinkable. Even our ancestors had to depend on Soma, Soora, Mayu etc.
One argument against the idea of one bottle one rate is that Bharat is a diverse country with many States having multifarious excise duties – so, the idea goes against the federal spirit or a united brewery. Our drinking habit is also neither Unitary nor Federal. Each State has its unique taste and rate. However, a united National policy on liquor is desirable for a uniform intoxication.
Drinkers’ National interest and State interest can’t be dichotomous. Yes, priorities may be different but the ultimate object is to remain tipsy. If Lok Sabha or State Assembly is dissolved before the end of its full five-year term, a midterm election shall be held. This is good news for poor voters – at least some election-driven-drinks are possible before the completion of a fixed 5-year term.
Before the Kovid Committee recommended for ONOE , it was suggested by the Law Commission and also endorsed by a Parliamentary Committee in 2015. The Union Cabinet has cleared it and now the Constitution Amendment Bill has been introduced in the Lok Sabha to do the needful.
The Bill is now referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). The Committee has 39 Members – 27 from Lok Sabha and 12 from Rajya Sabha. Shri PP Chaudhary has been appointed as the Chairman of the Committee. The Committee comprises prominent leaders from all the major parties. But I really don’t know how many of them will comprehend the import of Daru in Democracy.
In 1951-52 Lok Sabha election and State elections were held simultaneously. Later because of early dissolutions of State Assemblies, synchronous elections could not be conducted. Even the Lok Sabha tenure became erratic – due to Emergency and later because of early dissolutions.
This is not going to be an easy task to pass this Constitution Amendment Bill in Parliament. The present NDA Government does not have the requisite number both in Rajya Sabha as well as in Lok Sabha. For a Constitution Amendment two-third majority is required in both the Houses of Parliament.
Simultaneous elections may save National time, money and energy. But Political Parties particularly the National Parties have to spend more money-this is my calculation. And the most unfortunate part of this type of election is that poor voters will be deprived of occasional poll related drinks and tips. Saving alcohol bottles can’t be a National agenda as it will harm multi-billion liquor business and interest of patriotic consumers.
If you want to win any election go with the Daruwalas (casteless /classless huge population) – they are trustworthy – their contribution during Covid was overwhelming. Let us not be hypocrites – we all know the importance of liquor. From Athens to America the role of drinks is well established – before and after meetings, before polling and after polling, before counting and after counting, before/after losing or winning. Those who are directly dealing with the polls acknowledge the potential of the elixir.
One Nation, one Daru policy must come. This is required to strengthen our democracy. Believe me, ‘one Nation one liquor price’ is as potent as ‘MSP (legislated)’ for farmers. Income from Sarab may support the statutory MSP. Win the elections till 2047 by these two ideas.
In fact, one Nation one liquor rate (cheapest) may be made synchronous with ONOE. Our drinkers, who constitute nearly 31 percent of the total population, are fully aware that Centre can legislate on any subject including State subjects like alcohol (pricing, taxing, manufacturing etc.).
Democracy without Daru sounds defective and shouting cheers without the spirit is bland.
In addition to our normal happenings like firing, killing, kidnapping, bandh, blockade, extortion, curfew and net-shutdown etc, the news about a simultaneous election for the entire country has arrived. The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, was introduced in Lok Sabha on 17th December, 2024. This Bill contemplates one Nation and one election (ONOE) for the whole country. It also provides a fixed 5-year term for Lok Sabha with all State Assemblies. If the Lok Sabha or State Assembly is dissolved before the completion of its term, a mid-term poll will be held only for the remainder of the fixed five-year tenure.
This is fine, but nobody talks about one Nation one liquor rate. The intrinsic link between drinks and democracy has been overlooked. One bottle, one reasonable rate throughout the Nation should be the norm. Excise (duty on alcohol) policy must be centralized to avoid alcohol related scams like Delhi-Daru-Diddle. Our Constitutional Experts have inadvertently ignored the importance of Daru in democracy. This is unfortunate.
Majority of the Candidates in the country knows about the significance of country-liquor or foreign-liquor in the elections. A few leaders may ignore this indispensable role of liquor as they are sure of their victory. However, the remaining contestants have to depend on it, they have to win by any means – that is their roji-roti.
It will be surprising to know that even in the dry States liquor is distributed in huge quantities during election time. This may be confirmed from Nagaland, Mizoram, and even Bihar. In fact, politics without drinks is unthinkable. Even our ancestors had to depend on Soma, Soora, Mayu etc.
One argument against the idea of one bottle one rate is that Bharat is a diverse country with many States having multifarious excise duties – so, the idea goes against the federal spirit or a united brewery. Our drinking habit is also neither Unitary nor Federal. Each State has its unique taste and rate. However, a united National policy on liquor is desirable for a uniform intoxication.
Drinkers’ National interest and State interest can’t be dichotomous. Yes, priorities may be different but the ultimate object is to remain tipsy. If Lok Sabha or State Assembly is dissolved before the end of its full five-year term, a midterm election shall be held. This is good news for poor voters – at least some election-driven-drinks are possible before the completion of a fixed 5-year term.
Before the Kovid Committee recommended for ONOE , it was suggested by the Law Commission and also endorsed by a Parliamentary Committee in 2015. The Union Cabinet has cleared it and now the Constitution Amendment Bill has been introduced in the Lok Sabha to do the needful.
The Bill is now referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). The Committee has 39 Members – 27 from Lok Sabha and 12 from Rajya Sabha. Shri PP Chaudhary has been appointed as the Chairman of the Committee. The Committee comprises prominent leaders from all the major parties. But I really don’t know how many of them will comprehend the import of Daru in Democracy.
In 1951-52 Lok Sabha election and State elections were held simultaneously. Later because of early dissolutions of State Assemblies, synchronous elections could not be conducted. Even the Lok Sabha tenure became erratic – due to Emergency and later because of early dissolutions.
This is not going to be an easy task to pass this Constitution Amendment Bill in Parliament. The present NDA Government does not have the requisite number both in Rajya Sabha as well as in Lok Sabha. For a Constitution Amendment two-third majority is required in both the Houses of Parliament.
Simultaneous elections may save National time, money and energy. But Political Parties particularly the National Parties have to spend more money-this is my calculation. And the most unfortunate part of this type of election is that poor voters will be deprived of occasional poll related drinks and tips. Saving alcohol bottles can’t be a National agenda as it will harm multi-billion liquor business and interest of patriotic consumers.
If you want to win any election go with the Daruwalas (casteless /classless huge population) – they are trustworthy – their contribution during Covid was overwhelming. Let us not be hypocrites – we all know the importance of liquor. From Athens to America the role of drinks is well established – before and after meetings, before polling and after polling, before counting and after counting, before/after losing or winning. Those who are directly dealing with the polls acknowledge the potential of the elixir.
One Nation, one Daru policy must come. This is required to strengthen our democracy. Believe me, ‘one Nation one liquor price’ is as potent as ‘MSP (legislated)’ for farmers. Income from Sarab may support the statutory MSP. Win the elections till 2047 by these two ideas.
In fact, one Nation one liquor rate (cheapest) may be made synchronous with ONOE. Our drinkers, who constitute nearly 31 percent of the total population, are fully aware that Centre can legislate on any subject including State subjects like alcohol (pricing, taxing, manufacturing etc.).
Democracy without Daru sounds defective and shouting cheers without the spirit is bland.