Total prohibition can be implemented by any government if they have the will to do it, said Anna Hazare in the city on Saturday. He said apart from the government, people should have strong ideals and ensure they do not give up the fight. "In our village, Ralegaon Siddhi in Maharashtra, there were four liquor distilleries which had to shut down after the public protested and continued to fight against it. It is possible to shut them in any part of the country," said Anna.
Stating that Indian rivers were prone to exploitation especially by sand mafias, he said he is planning to write to the government to ensure steps are taken to stop this. "Sand in rivers and lakes are very important part for the environment as they help in holding the water and recharging ground water table. I will write to the government that a law should be passed such that without the permission of the village authorities sand should not be allowed to be taken," he said.
Another problem about the rivers, he cited, was the encroachments on the banks by people, companies and others. "As the government has all the records relating to the land usage, encroachments should be removes as per rules and only then will the rivers in the country be restored," he said. Talking about the river-linking project, he said if done scientifically, it would yield good results. "Some rivers originating from the Himlayas have a higher velocity in comparison to others. If the speed of water flow can be regulated, it would be a successful project," he said.
Talking about the Noyyalai Nokki, project aimed at reviving the river Noyyal's 62km long bed, he said, "I hope after two years river Noyyal also begins to flow again and I get a chance to visit it. I want all the youngsters and the villagers to take part in the project as it can be successful only if every family in the district contributes," he said adding he hopes, "once water flows here the other water (liquor) doesn't enter homes here."