Guwahati:
A remote gram panchayat along with the Assam-Meghalaya border in Assam's Kamrup (Rural) district has banned the sale and consumption of liquor in 84 villages under its jurisdiction.
"The socio-economic condition of the villagers had forced us to take such a decision as villagers were spending a substantial amount of their income on liquor and it has become very difficult for them to make ends meet," President of Kinan Village Development Samity Benedict Areng told PTI.
In a recent meeting, the panchayat had unanimously decided to ban the consumption of liquor and impose a fine of Rs 500 on anyone found drinking within the villages, Areng added.
"There are, however, certain relaxations like rice beer which is a traditional drink for the tribals and are used in certain rituals, will be allowed but the panchayat must be informed earlier," said the convenor Babul Rabha.
Most of the people in the area are farmers or daily-wage labourers in Guwahati and adjoining areas.