Push for alcohol-free events cuts expenses in half
It’s been a year since President Ts. Elbegdorj initiated the “Forward, to an Alcohol-Free Mongolia” campaign. On December 14, the Head of the Office of the President D. Battulga made a statement regarding the campaign’s accomplishments and effects during this period of time. Since the implementation of this alcohol-free idea, every event or ceremony involving the President should happen with no alcohol. The Alcohol Free Mongolia Association was formed, and so far the President has visited 10 provinces and made speeches concerning alcoholism and its negative impacts. In addition, laws against alcoholism are being renewed.
We clearly remember how the President welcomed the New Year with milk instead of champagne, and many people applauded and praised his action. Inspired by this event, many organizations and offices throughout Mongolia began to work alcohol-free. Starting in March, the General Police Department and the Traffic Police of Mongolia made agreements that moving electronic alcohol ads be removed, and this was officially implemented last July.
Since April, every ceremony in the Wedding Palace has required the use of milk as the ceremonies are alcohol-free. In addition, at various locations many anti-alcohol lectures and trainings were conducted.
“As of November 2011, tax from alcohol has decreased by 1.3 billion MNT. It is a good sign that alcohol-distributing points in rural areas have decreased too. This effort against alcohol will continue. Since every ceremony or any Governmental event with the President has become alcohol-free, the budgets for these events were cut by 50 percent.
Disregarding this, and many other successes, the Ministry of Finance has decided to increase the capacity of total tax to be collected for the next year. It means alcohol use will increase, too. Although the income seems to decrease, it is important that Governmental expenses are being cut.
The Citizens’ Representatives Office still haven’t nullified the illegitimate decision to allow the sale of alcohol until six o’clock in the morning, a decision made during the FIFA World Cup 2010.
The above examples highlight the difficulties from administrative bodies and are negatively affecting the effort. Anti-alcohol strategy should be decided from the administration, and they should set examples for the public. A new year is approaching. We are calling upon all the great organizations and economic entities of Mongolia to spend this New Year without alcohol.
D. Battulga answered questions regarding the alcohol-free program:
Exactly how much income is derived from alcohol taxes? How much revenue is planned for the next year from alcohol taxes?
By November 2010, we had collected 61 billion MNT from alcohol producing and distributing companies. By November of 2011 it has decreased to 59.7 billion MNT, showing a slight decrease in alcohol use. In the coming year, 63-64 billion MNT is planned to be collected.
Exactly how much money was saved from the President’s budget as a result of no alcohol throughout this year?
There were a total of 40 million MNT for the President’s expenses, and 25-26 million MNT was used, the rest of it was saved.
In the new voting law, it was proposed that Directors and CEOs of alcohol producing companies should be barred from being a candidate for a Government position, but was not supported. What is the President’s opinion on this matter?
It would be against the Constitution if such law is passed. It was decided that the individual political parties themselves would deal with this before the election.
We clearly remember how the President welcomed the New Year with milk instead of champagne, and many people applauded and praised his action. Inspired by this event, many organizations and offices throughout Mongolia began to work alcohol-free. Starting in March, the General Police Department and the Traffic Police of Mongolia made agreements that moving electronic alcohol ads be removed, and this was officially implemented last July.
Since April, every ceremony in the Wedding Palace has required the use of milk as the ceremonies are alcohol-free. In addition, at various locations many anti-alcohol lectures and trainings were conducted.
“As of November 2011, tax from alcohol has decreased by 1.3 billion MNT. It is a good sign that alcohol-distributing points in rural areas have decreased too. This effort against alcohol will continue. Since every ceremony or any Governmental event with the President has become alcohol-free, the budgets for these events were cut by 50 percent.
Disregarding this, and many other successes, the Ministry of Finance has decided to increase the capacity of total tax to be collected for the next year. It means alcohol use will increase, too. Although the income seems to decrease, it is important that Governmental expenses are being cut.
The Citizens’ Representatives Office still haven’t nullified the illegitimate decision to allow the sale of alcohol until six o’clock in the morning, a decision made during the FIFA World Cup 2010.
The above examples highlight the difficulties from administrative bodies and are negatively affecting the effort. Anti-alcohol strategy should be decided from the administration, and they should set examples for the public. A new year is approaching. We are calling upon all the great organizations and economic entities of Mongolia to spend this New Year without alcohol.
D. Battulga answered questions regarding the alcohol-free program:
Exactly how much income is derived from alcohol taxes? How much revenue is planned for the next year from alcohol taxes?
By November 2010, we had collected 61 billion MNT from alcohol producing and distributing companies. By November of 2011 it has decreased to 59.7 billion MNT, showing a slight decrease in alcohol use. In the coming year, 63-64 billion MNT is planned to be collected.
Exactly how much money was saved from the President’s budget as a result of no alcohol throughout this year?
There were a total of 40 million MNT for the President’s expenses, and 25-26 million MNT was used, the rest of it was saved.
In the new voting law, it was proposed that Directors and CEOs of alcohol producing companies should be barred from being a candidate for a Government position, but was not supported. What is the President’s opinion on this matter?
It would be against the Constitution if such law is passed. It was decided that the individual political parties themselves would deal with this before the election.
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