Madhya Pradesh Govt Bans Liquor In 17 Holy Cities In First Phase Of Prohibition Drive – Full List Here
The Madhya Pradesh government has approved a ban on liquor in 17 holy cities of the state. The ban will be imposed in cities like Ujjain, Chitrakoot, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, Mandleshwar, and more.
The Madhya Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, on Friday approved a ban on liquor in 17 holy cities as part of its phased approach towards prohibition. Addressing a press conference, Yadav stated that in the first phase, liquor sales will be prohibited in one Nagar Nigam, six Nagar Palikas, six Nagar Parishads, and six Gram Panchayats across the state.
“To ensure that the state moves towards a liquor ban gradually, we have decided that in the first phase, liquor shops would be shut down in Nagar Palikas, Nagar Parishads, and Nagar Panchayats of 17 cities. These shops will not be shifted anywhere else. It has been decided that these shops will be shut down permanently,” CM Mohan Yadav said.
The cities where the ban will be enforced include Ujjain Nagar Nigam, Maihar Nagar Palika, Datia Nagar Palika, Panna Nagar Palika, Mandla Nagar Palika, Multai Nagar Palika, Mandsaur Nagar Palika, Orchha Nagar Parishad, Chitrakoot Nagar Parishad, Amarkantak Nagar Parishad, Maheshwar Nagar Parishad, Omkareshwar Nagar Parishad, Mandleshwar Nagar Parishad, Salkanpur Gram Panchayat, Bandakpur Gram Panchayat, Kundalpur Gram Panchayat, Barmankala Gram Panchayat, Linga Gram Panchayat, and Barmankhurd Gram Panchayat.
Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadan On Liquor And Meat Ban
The announcement follows CM Yadav’s earlier declaration that his government plans to prohibit the sale and consumption of liquor and meat near religious sites. He stated that an amendment to the state’s liquor policy is in the works for the current financial year, aiming to ban liquor and meat sales around sacred places.
“The process for budget preparation for the current financial year is also almost in the last phase. We will ensure that a provision is made on the consumption of liquor in religious sites in the state,” CM Yadav was quoted as saying by news agency IANS.
The Chief Minister emphasised that the decision was taken following recommendations from several seers and religious leaders advocating for a liquor ban.
“We are determined to make the religious cities free of liquor and meat, and a decision in this regard will be announced soon. The excise department has been preparing a draft report for the same,” CM Yadav added.
The prohibition in Ujjain, a significant religious city, comes ahead of preparation for the Simhastha Kumbh 2028.
The proposal to ban liquor and meat consumption near religious sites was first announced in August 2024 and later approved by the state cabinet in September. The initiative is expected to extend across 21 districts, 68 tehsils, 1,138 villages, and 1,126 ghats, covering 430 ancient Shiva temples and two ‘shakti peeths’ along the banks of the Kshipra River, IANS reported.
