- Friday, April 25, 2025
Liquor shops and bars will be closed down in Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, Mandleshwar, Orchha, Maihar, Chitrakoot, Datia, Panna, Mandla, Multai, Mandsaur and Amarkantak
By: India Weekly
MADHYA PRADESH government’s proposed ban on the sale of liquor in 19 religious cities, including Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, and Maihar, came into effect on Tuesday (1).
Chief minister Mohan Yadav described it as a “historic step towards de-addiction“.
The Madhya Pradesh cabinet had on January 24 approved the ban at its meeting held in Maheshwar, a place closely associated with medieval-era queen Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar.
All liquor shops and bars will be closed down in the entire urban limits of Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, Mandleshwar, Orchha, Maihar, Chitrakoot, Datia, Panna, Mandla, Multai, Mandsaur and Amarkantak and in the gram panchayat limits of Salkanpur, Kundalpur, Bandakpur, Barmankalan, Barmankhurd and Linga, an official said.
The BJP government has declared these 19 urban and rural areas as “completely sacred”, and imposed a total ban on liquor under their jurisdiction.
Yadav said the government has taken a “historic step towards de-addiction” and cited “public faith and religious reverence” associated with these cities and rural areas as reasons for the move.
The religious places where the liquor ban takes effect from Tuesday are spread across one municipal corporation, half-a-dozen municipal councils and an equal number of village panchayats.
Among these, Ujjain houses the famous Mahakal Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, while Amarkantak is the origin of the Narmada river, which is considered the lifeline of the state.
The new excise policy also includes a 20 per cent increase in the licence fee for liquor outlets in the state. (Agencies)
