Cabinet spokespersons Jay Narayan Vyas and Saurabh Patel in a statement said, the Gujarat government is wedded to Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of prohibition and there is no question of easing it. The government is duty-bound to strictly implement it for the sake of peace, prosperity and progress.

“31 people died In Kerala’s Kollam district, on October 25, 2000, after drinking illicit liquor. On February 2, 2009, 10 died of it in Bhubaneswar, while four lost their vision. From May 19, 2008 to May 22, 2008, 13 died of it in Kolkata and 25 persons were taken ill. In 2007 in Bangalore alone, eight persons died of it, while in entire Karnataka, 142 died,” the spokespersons said, recalling illicit liquor death figures of other states.

The ministers said the government has taken strict steps against irresponsible police officers for not implementing the prohibition law.Criticised the Opposition for making a political issue out it, the ministers said, the opposition can raise their voice during the Home department budgetary demand discussion which is scheduled on July 17 instead of boycotting the assembly house.