'Liquor To Be Sold In Gandhi's Birthplace': Oppn Slams Guj Govt For Exemption In GIFT City, BJP Responds

While Congress and AAP termed the decision as “unfortunate”, saying it will "ruin" the state’s youth, BJP, justified the move saying it will provide a conducive environment for the business to boom.

The Gujarat government on Friday announced the lifting of liquor ban in the GIFT City.

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New Delhi: The ruling BJP and the Opposition parties traded barbs over the Gujarat government’s decision to lift ban on liquor in the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). While the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) termed the decision as “unfortunate”, saying it will "ruin" the state’s youth, the BJP, justified the move saying it will provide a conducive environment for the business to boom.

The Gujarat government on Friday announced the lifting of liquor ban in the GIFT City, exempting it from the statewide prohibition.

Notably, Gujarat, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, has maintained a ban on manufacture, storage, sale, and consumption of alcohol since its formation. The decision to exempt GIFT City from liquor ban is aimed at fostering a global business environment.

Slamming the government over its decision, Congress said now the youth will get easy access to liquor, which would, in turn increase accident rate and crime on women.

“This is a very unfortunate decision. The BJP government wants to lift prohibition in the state and they have started it with GIFT city. Tomorrow they will say they want to lift liquor ban at the Statue of Unity (in Kevadia) and Tent City of Dhordo in Kutch to attract tourists as well as the Surat Diamond Bourse. This will ruin the youth. Those who drink and come out of GIFT City will cause accidents and may harm our women. Do they (government) think lifting the liquor ban will attract investment,” news agency PTI quoted Leader of Opposition Amit Chavda as saying.

Gujarat Congress President Shaktisinh Gohil said the state was flourishing because of the ban and demanded the order be revoked.

#WATCH | Delhi: On Gujarat government's decision to allow liquor consumption in the GIFT city for employees and visitors, Gujarat Congress President Shaktisinh Gohil says, "I am very upset... Gujarat, being the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi... has been away from alcohol and… pic.twitter.com/0U5pqW6kpe

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2023

AAP MLA from Botad, Umesh Makwana wrote to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel seeking withdrawal of the decision, PTI reported.

Meanwhile, countering the arguments, state minister Rushikesh Patel said the decision was taken keeping business and the global industry players in mind.

#WATCH | Gandhinagar: On Gujarat government's decision to allow liquor consumption in the GIFT city for employees and visitors, Minister Rushikesh Patel says, "When the PM laid the foundation of the GIFT city in Gujarat, he had a lot of ideas and he wanted Gujarat to emerge as… pic.twitter.com/ZVhZ9pk8cm

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2023

“When PM Modi laid the foundation of the GIFT city in Gujarat, he had a lot of ideas and he wanted Gujarat to emerge as the economical capital. The GIFT city also expanded a lot. Because of the expansion, people from the country and across the world come here for business. It becomes essential to match their lifestyle. To connect with them socially, this decision has been taken,” Rushikesh Patel told news agency ANI.