New Delhi: In an attempt to discourage liquor consumption, Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP government in Madhya Pradesh has decided to close all the bars operating in the state. The MP cabinet has approved the new excise policy under which 'ahatas', or areas for drinking attached to liquor outlets, and shop bars will be closed.
State Home Minister Narottam Mishra made the announcement after the cabinet meeting on Sunday evening and said the new excise policy is designed to discourage liquor consumption. This comes amid senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Uma Bharti's demand for a "controlled liquor policy" in MP. The liquor shops are allowed to sell liquor to the customers at the shop only.
"All ahatas and shop bars are being shut in the state. Now, only liquor will be sold at the shops and places of drinking will not be allowed," Mishra, who is also the state government's spokesperson, said after the cabinet meeting, as quoted by the news agency PTI. The distance of liquor shops from educational institutions, girls' hostels and religious places is being increased from 50 metres to 100 metres, he said. He further said that laws to cancel the driving licenses in cases of drunk driving will be made more stringent.
"Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been working to discourage drinking liquor so no new shop has been opened in the state since 2010. On the contrary, shops were closed," Mishra said, as quoted by PTI.
Addressing a press conference Mishra said, "Since 2010, no new liquor shop has been closed in the state. Even during Narmada Seva Yatra, several shops were closed. This year also the liquor policy has been brought to discourage liquor consumption," as quoted by ANI. "Now, the cabinet has approved the proposal to close all the bars operating in the state. Now, the facility to drink at the shop bars is being ended, and only liquor will only be sold at the liquor shops," he said.
He added, "The distance of liquor shops from educational and religious institutions has also been increased from 50 to 100 meters. Along with this, strictness will also be increased on those who drive after drinking alcohol," as quoted by ANI.
Uma Bharti, who started her campaign with the demand for total prohibition, has now been asking for regularisation of liquor sale in the state, where the Assembly polls are due this year-end. She has been campaigning against liquor consumption and has asked the BJP government in MP not to cash in on the drinking habit of people through a liberal excise regime.
She had tied two cows in front of a liquor shop in Orchha town of Niwari district, which is famous for temples and palaces, and exhorted people to drink milk and not alcohol under her 'madhushala mein gaushala' (cowshed in liquor vend) programme, PTI reported. She had also thrown dung at the shop in Orchha in protest against the sale of liquor.