MP government declares sacred river banks as ‘dry zone’

Several dry zones, including banks of sacred rivers and vicinity of girls hostels, have been declared in the new excise policy of the state to be made effective from April this year.

The state cabinet, while approving the new excise policy of 2018-19, has decided to shut all the existing liquor shops situated at a distance of 50 metres from schools, colleges and hostels meant specifically for girls. It will also shut shops located on the banks of scared rivers such as Narmada and Tapti.

The government has identified 149 ahatas (permit rooms) which were running at these prohibited places. These country and foreign liquor shops will be closed from April this year.

After implementing the decision to declare the dry zone policy, consumption of liquor will be completely prohibited in the nearby areas of the sacred rivers, schools, colleges, religious places and girls’ hostels. The government is in the process of notifying these places.

According to the official spokesperson of the state cabinet, “The new policy gives powers to the district collector that if someone commits a crime under the influence of liquor again and again, he can be expelled from the limits of districts for six months.”

The notification of “dry zone” and other steps to prevent use of liquor consumption will be taken by special committees formed at district, block and village level. These committees will be empowered to take steps to curb the growing liquor consumption trend in urban and rural areas. They will also be entrusted to create awareness among the masses against manufacturing and sale of illicit liquor and inform the excise department as well as the police for necessary action by identifying the places and persons involved in such activities.