A Tamil Nadu-based party, which is a constituent of the ruling coalition, yesterday demanded prohibition of alcoholic drinks in the country and said even Congress president Sonia Gandhi was all for it. Pattali Makkal Kacchi leader S. Ramadoss told reporters here that he and his party colleagues made the demand about prohibition when they called on Gandhi here on Friday.
"She volunteered to say that prohibition is in sync with Gandhian values and she appreciated our concern," Ramadoss said. "She is very much interested in implementing prohibition." "[Gandhi] told us that the Congress strictly advised new entrants to the party against drinking."
Ramadoss cited the "massive campaign" the PMK had launched in Tamil Nadu in support of liquor prohibition.
Asked about the proposal of the civil aviation ministry to introduce wine and beer on domestic flights, he said: "Let it happen, we will protest when it does."
Ramadoss, who also met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh separately, said he had urged both leaders to initiate measures to remove the concept of creamy layer in the reservation policy for other backward classes (OBCs).
"It is unconstitutional and wrong to implement the reservation policy on the basis of economic status, which the creamy layer suggests it is," he said.
Ramadoss said the constitution was clear that reservation should be based on social and educational considerations.
The Pattali Makkal Kacchi yesterday urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that New Delhi must play an "active and constructive" role to help end Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict.
PMK leader S. Ramadoss said he and his party colleagues urged both the prime minister and Congress president Sonia Gandhi that India's active engagement was necessary in view of the "genocide against Tamils in that country".
"There are [1.5 million] internally displaced people in Sri Lanka living at the mercy of international donors and NGOs," he said. Thousands have died in escalating violence in Sri Lanka in the past two years after a truce between Tamil rebels and Colombo broke down.
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"She volunteered to say that prohibition is in sync with Gandhian values and she appreciated our concern," Ramadoss said. "She is very much interested in implementing prohibition." "[Gandhi] told us that the Congress strictly advised new entrants to the party against drinking."
Ramadoss cited the "massive campaign" the PMK had launched in Tamil Nadu in support of liquor prohibition.
Asked about the proposal of the civil aviation ministry to introduce wine and beer on domestic flights, he said: "Let it happen, we will protest when it does."
Ramadoss, who also met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh separately, said he had urged both leaders to initiate measures to remove the concept of creamy layer in the reservation policy for other backward classes (OBCs).
"It is unconstitutional and wrong to implement the reservation policy on the basis of economic status, which the creamy layer suggests it is," he said.
Ramadoss said the constitution was clear that reservation should be based on social and educational considerations.
The Pattali Makkal Kacchi yesterday urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that New Delhi must play an "active and constructive" role to help end Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict.
PMK leader S. Ramadoss said he and his party colleagues urged both the prime minister and Congress president Sonia Gandhi that India's active engagement was necessary in view of the "genocide against Tamils in that country".
"There are [1.5 million] internally displaced people in Sri Lanka living at the mercy of international donors and NGOs," he said. Thousands have died in escalating violence in Sri Lanka in the past two years after a truce between Tamil rebels and Colombo broke down.
gulfnews
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