A disturbing video of schoolgirls in uniforms purchasing alcohol from a government liquor outlet in Nainpur has ignited widespread fury on social media and prompted swift administrative intervention in Madhya Pradesh. The footage, captured on CCTV at the state-run shop, depicts a group of uniformed minors—some with heads partially veiled by scarves—entering the premises, approaching the counter, and completing a transaction for liquor before exiting unchallenged. The incident, which surfaced online on Saturday, exposes glaring lapses in age verification and enforcement of liquor regulations, violating the state's strict prohibitions on sales to those under 21. Local authorities, caught off-guard by the viral clip, have launched a probe, vowing licence revocation and penalties amid public demands for accountability.
The video's rapid dissemination embarrassed officials in Mandla district, a tribal-dominated region where youth vulnerability to substance abuse is a persistent concern. Sub-Divisional Magistrate Ashutosh Thakur, accompanied by the Tehsildar and police personnel, descended on the shop for an immediate inspection, scrutinising the footage meticulously. Preliminary findings confirmed the sale to minors as a blatant breach of General Licence Conditions (GLC) under the Madhya Pradesh Excise Act, 1915, which mandates ID checks and carries penalties including fines up to Rs 50,000 and imprisonment.
District Excise Officer Ramji Pandey affirmed the veracity of the claims, stating, "The investigation has found the matter to be true. A report will be sent to the Collector soon. The liquor shop's licence will be revoked and a penalty imposed. The employee who sold alcohol to the minors will be terminated." The shop owner faces interrogation, with enquiries extending to whether the girls were acting independently or at the behest of adults, potentially escalating charges to abetment.
This episode has amplified longstanding criticisms of lax oversight in rural liquor distribution networks, where government outlets—intended to regulate sales and curb illicit trade—often prioritise revenue over compliance. Madhya Pradesh, with over 4,000 licensed shops generating Rs 25,000 crore annually in excise revenue, has grappled with rising alcoholism rates, particularly among youth in underserved areas like Mandla.
A 2023 National Family Health Survey highlighted a 15% increase in alcohol consumption among women and adolescents in central India, correlating with socioeconomic stressors and inadequate counselling programmes. Community leaders in Nainpur expressed outrage, decrying the normalisation of such access and urging expanded awareness drives in schools, where uniform policies ironically symbolise discipline yet fail to deter the act.
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The scandal has swiftly politicized, with opposition voices seizing the moment to assail the BJP-led state government. Former Congress MLA and district president Dr. Ashok Marskole lambasted the administration, tweeting, "When Jitu Patwari cited a central government report to highlight rising alcoholism in Madhya Pradesh, BJP leaders burned his effigy. Today, when schoolgirls are buying liquor in Nainpur, where are those same leaders and their so-called women's power?" Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's office has yet to respond, but the controversy risks fuelling pre-election debates on social governance.
As the investigation deepens, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for digital surveillance upgrades, staff training, and community vigilance to shield minors from exploitative environments, lest fleeting embarrassments evolve into enduring societal scars.
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