The announcement comes amid senior BJP leader Uma Bharti’s demand for a “controlled liquor policy” in MP.
Madhya Pradesh OKs new excise policy to rein in tipplers
From hereon, liquor will be sold at the shops and places of drinking will not be allowed,” state HM N. Mishra said after the cabinet meeting on Sunday evening. All bars are being shut in the state.
N. Mishra, who is the state government spokesperson, said the distance of liquor shops from educational institutions, girls’ hostels and religious places is being increased from 50 meters to 100 meters, while laws to cancel the driving licenses in cases of drunk driving will be made more stringent.
“MP CM has been working to discourage drinking liquor so no new shop was opened in the state since 2010. On the contrary, shops were closed. During Narmada yatra , 64 shops were closed in the state. The new excise policy is also designed to discourage liquor consumption,” N. Mishra said.
Leader Bharti has been campaigning against liquor consumption and has asked the BJP government of CM Chouhan not to cash in on the drinking habit of people through a liberal excise regime.