Any time is liquor time in `dry’ Golwad

It is not just the area, but even the Golas, the dominant caste residing here, are knownfor being masters in the liquor trade. Practically, all the families in the approximately 2 lakh populated area have been engaged in the sale of liquor for years. It is even said that when visitors come to their homes, they are served liquor and not water. Any time is liquor time for these people, be it the birth of a child, a marriage — both the men and women folk consume country liquor as a tradition. “So much so, that even at funerals, liquor is served to the mourners,” said B J Sahi, PI (prohibition).

Daksheshbhai Rana, an elderly man puts it this way: “Liquor is a traditional business here, and it was there even before the state was formed and the dry law implemented”. He added that they were also engaged in jari work, making of toys and other small businesses. He does admit that the prohibition police have stepped up their raids of late, but is quite sure that the liquor trade will not be affected.

But DCP N D Solanki (prohibition and excise) contends, “The situation has improved much in thepast few months.” He also added that the prohibition police registered at least two to three cases from the area on a weekly basis. But he admits that the police has been largely unsuccessful in clearing the area of the menace in the past four decades. However, he hastens to add, “The location of the area and the customs of the people cannot prevent the police from wiping out the sale and consumption of liquor totally,” he felt.

Meanwhile, the prohibition police stationed at the city have created a history of sorts by stepping up a drive against cable operators and going into other finer aspects of the law book.