Voters are weighing a stark trade-off -- between preserving a socially driven policy and reversing course to revive revenue, restore fiscal balance, and rein in the underground liquor economy.
'I need 3-4 lakhs for the wedding. All prospective grooms demand a motorcycle which costs 1 to 1.5 lakhs, then you have to also give a bed, cupboard, utensils, fridge,' says Kamala, her wrinkled forehead furrowing with despair.
The demand growth in the low-income category is expected to be driven mainly by packaged branded sugar as well as traditionally consumed gur (jaggery) and khandsari.
In 1997, the seven-judge bench ruled that the Centre had the regulatory power over the production of industrial alcohol. The case was referred to the nine-judge bench in 2010.
A proposal to change the name of Mount Abu, Rajasthan's only hill station, to "Aburaj Teerth" and ban non-vegetarian food and alcohol consumption in public has sparked protests from local businesses, who fear severe economic consequences. They argue that the name change will cause confusion and the restrictions will drastically reduce tourist numbers, impacting livelihoods.
According to the officials, generally, a passenger is not served more than 100 ml of liquor during a flight.
The ban is also estimated to have prevented 18 lakh men in the state from becoming overweight or obese, it said.
The students alleged that they were forced to stand naked and were subjected to brutal acts using dumbbells meant for weightlifting.
Social media influencer Orhan Awatramani, known as Orry, and seven others were booked for allegedly consuming alcohol at a hotel in Katra, the base camp for the pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. The FIR was registered for violating the law and hurting religious sentiments. The hotel reportedly prohibits alcohol and non-vegetarian food due to its proximity to the shrine.
The Congress party has criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's handling of GST reforms, calling them inadequate and demanding an apology for the tax imposed on essential items. They argue that the reforms are merely a 'band-aid' solution and that the government should address the states' demand for extended compensation.
THE BJP sought an apology from him for "defaming" Gujarat and for promoting alcohol consumption.
Blood pressure management is no longer just about a number on a chart
"We cannot stop a crime like rape by policing only. I think rapes will come down significantly if people stop eating non-vegetarian. There has been lot of research on this. Rapes will come down significantly if alcohol consumption is not there," he told media persons in New Delhi.
A new research in the Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, shows that continuous drinking for as little as eight weeks can impair learning and memory.
While it is widely believed alcohol consumption could cause erectile dysfunction, commonly called 'brewer's droop', a study on 1,580 Australian men showed the reverse may be true, with drinkers reporting as many as 30 per cent fewer problems than teetotallers.
Inebriated honeybees could give better insight into alcohol's effects on human behaviour, according to a study by US researchers.
Even after the removal of breast tissue, it is possible that the cancer may recur in the chest wall or the area where the surgery was performed, warns Dr Meghal Sanghavi, oncosurgeon, at Wockhardt Hospitals.
Pilots might soon be asked not to use perfume, mouthwash and tooth gel as that may result in positive breath analyser test. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has sought comments on a draft Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) wherein it has also proposed barring crew from using any "drug/formulation or use any substance such as mouthwash/tooth gel/perfume or any such product which has alcoholic content". Comments have been sought on the CAR, which pertains to procedure for medical examination of aircraft personnel for alcohol consumption, till October 5.
Pakistan cricket authorities said their players would not display logos of a whisky brand sponsor in the Super Series matches
Globally, the researchers found that more than 7,40,000 or four per cent of new cancer cases in 2020 may be attributed to alcohol drinking.
Dr Ashish Mishra, consultant interventional cardiologist, Wockhardt Hospitals, explains how smoking and alcohol can impair your heart health and lead to cardiac arrest.
The sessions court is hearing the bail applications of six accused in the case, namely, the minor's parents Vishal Agarwal and Shivani Agarwal; Sassoon hospital's Dr Ajay Taware and Dr Shreehari Halnor, and alleged middlemen Ashpak Makandar and Amar Gaikwad.
The GST Council on Saturday clarified that guarantees provided by corporate to their subsidiaries will attract an 18 per cent GST, while no tax will be levied if a personal guarantee is given by a director to the company. The council, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and comprising state ministers, also cut the GST rate on molasses to 5 per cent from 28 per cent. It also ceded the right to tax Extra Neutral Alcohol (raw product for making alcohol for human consumption) to the states.
The blood samples of the mother of the juvenile allegedly involved in the May 19 Pune Porsche crash case were collected on Monday for DNA testing, a police official said.
The Bihar assembly passed an amendment bill that seeks to make the liquor ban less stringent for first-time offenders in the state.
Dr Rituja Ugalmugle, internal medicine specialist, Wockhardt Hospitals, lists the remedies to prevent and fight summer related ailments.
The YJC news agency said the gathering was a birthday party, and added that all those detained had been released except one person, who is not a soccer player.
The mother of the minor in the Porsche car accident case was arrested after confirmation that his blood samples were replaced with hers, Pune police chief Amitesh Kumar said on Saturday.
Consuming alcohol during pregnancy can majorly impact your baby's overall development. Children with foetal alcohol syndrome may have problems with their vision, hearing, memory, attention span, warns Dr Anagha Karkhanis.
Replace processed and packaged foods with whole, unprocessed foods like fruits, green vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins, says Dr Gaurav Kumar Patil.
When you're stressed, your body releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which can interfere with your digestion process and cause excessive acid production, says Dr Aklesh Tandekar, head-consultant critical care, Wockhardt Hospitals.
The Audi car, which hit several vehicles in the Ramdaspeth area in the early hours of Monday, had five occupants, including Sanket Bawankule, who was not at the wheel at the time of the crash, which left two persons injured, according to the police.
Additional solicitor-general says extra-neutral alcohol liable to new tax
Long work hours can increase risk of alcohol abuse, a study has revealed.
The point made by sociologist M N Srinivas, that it represented a Sanskritic act that was linked to caste, is never raised in Indian debates and the disapproval of drink is almost universal, notes Aakar Patel.
The central government wants to impose the levy; many states are opposed - at least, to the Centre doing so
Dr Nandita Palshetkar, IVF expert and medical director, Bloom IVF, explains how certain behaviour can lead to poor quality of sperm.
The Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad on Wednesday said it has decided to not allow 'non-Sanatanis' from putting up food stalls in the Kumbh Mela and rename terms 'Shahi Snan' and 'Peshwai' as 'Rajsi Snan' and 'Chhavni Pravesh'.
Beer to be allowed in certain offices in Haryana; other states allow its sale in stores and malls.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances