Repressed supply heightens demand

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Air India flight last Friday saw a 'record' intake of in-flight alcohol by passengers from the 'dry state', it is this: repressed supply heightens demand. While the value of liquor sold has not been shared by Air India, the fact was that enthusiasm for purchasing 50 ml miniature bottles of a whisky brand for ₹600 and 330 ml of a beer brand for ₹300 was undoubtedly higher than in usual international flights that couldn't be simply explained by Christmas cheer.

That Gujarat has a thriving black market for alcohol is well known. While the loss of tax revenue has been estimated to be over ₹16k cr (about $2 bn), the real worm in the bottle has been the hazard posed for many in the form of illicit liquor. By dint of being contraband, no quality control applies to these non-branded concoctions. So, the virtue-signalling in 'dry states' like Gujarat and Bihar is actually viceful. The 'hooch tragedy' claiming 136 lives in Ahmedabad in 2009 still hangs as a warning — not for the dangers of drinking but of prohibition.

At a wider level, a 'mai-baap' state treating its citizens as children creates a split-personality citizenry that is moral and amoral at the same time. Whether it be consumption of alcohol or pornography, or gambling, 'sins' have a human tendency of finding dark avenues when prohibited. Instead of 'Gandhian virtue-signalling', efforts should be made to provide safe alcoholic beverages for those who choose to partake in such an adult leisure. To club everyone who imbibes in drink to be a menace — socially or morally, or both — is a recipe for the kind of exaggerated behaviour witnessed on the way to Bangkok.

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