The Madhya Pradesh government has decided to close liquor vends in 17 “holy towns” across the state, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced on Friday.
The towns identified for the closure of liquor shops include Ujjain, the Chief Minister’s hometown, along with other significant religious sites such as Datia, Panna, Mandla, Multai, Mandsaur, Maihar, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, Mandleshwar, Orchha, Chitrakoot, Amarkantak, Salkanpur, Barman Kala, Linga, Kundalpur, Bandakpur, and Barmankhurd.
“The shops will not be relocated. They will be completely shut down within the Ujjain Municipal Corporation limits,” Chief Minister Mohan Yadav told reporters during a press conference.
The BJP leader stated that this is just the “first step” toward a complete alcohol ban in Madhya Pradesh.
“We aim to ban alcohol in spiritual places. Alcohol addiction harms families, and under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, we are focused on good governance for a better life for women, children, and farmers,” he told PTI.
The announcement of the liquor vend closures follows Chief Minister Yadav’s declaration the previous day that his government would ban the sale of liquor at 17 religious sites in the state.
“Everyone is aware of the harmful effects of alcohol consumption. We don’t want our youth, the future of the country, to be ruined. The Madhya Pradesh government will ban liquor sales at 17 religious places, wherever Lord Krishna and Lord Ram have stepped in the state,” he said at a function in Narsinghpur district.