Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, July 15
In a striking act of defiance, the entire elected body of the Chewdi Panchayat in Sunni, Shimla, has resigned over the controversial opening of a liquor shop in Khera village — a move they claim reflects the state government’s disregard for community well-being and public dissent. The panchayat head, deputy head, ward members, local women’s groups, and the anti-drug committee submitted their resignations after a 12-day sit-in failed to draw any response from authorities. They accuse the Himachal Pradesh government of “encouraging substance abuse” by opening the shop on May 23 despite strong opposition from villagers.
Chhavindra Singh Pal, the panchayat pradhan, said the liquor outlet has disrupted the social and moral fabric of the village. “We stood united in protest, yet the government didn’t care. Instead, FIRs were filed against women who protested peacefully,” he told the reporters.
He called out what he sees as a deeply contradictory approach: “On the one hand, the state promotes drug de-addiction. On the other hand, it punishes panchayats that take a stand against alcohol sales in rural areas,” he added. The state government has not yet issued a response to the mass resignations.
