Bhopal: With the announcement by CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan for closing down the liquor shops at bank of Narmada River during his “Narmada Yatra”, the demand for total prohibition is getting louder in the state. However, CM has dropped the idea of blanket ban after studying the report of results of the liquor prohibition implemented in Bihar and Gujarat states.
A mammoth demonstration will be staged on Gandhi Jayanti this time and for the first time, government departments are coming forward to participate in the programme being held for liquor prohibition. Department of social justice will participate in a seminar organized by Gyatri Parivar on “how to make Madhya Pradesh liquor free state’. A rally will also be organised on the occasion. According to Gyatri Pariwar’s Shankarlal Patidar, nearly 3000 people from all across Madhya parade will raise the voice for total liquor prohibition in the state.
A memorandum with signatures of 50,000 people will be handed over to the chief minister pressing the demand of total prohibition. BJP MPs and MLAs also put their signatures in memorandum, he said. Chouhan had sent a team of officials to Bihar and Gujarat during his Narmada Yatra to study the liquor prohibitions in the two states. Despite BJP government in Gujarat and BJP sported government in Bihar, the report is not being made public.
According to sources, just because of total prohibition, sub-standard and illegal liquor is being sold in both the states—Gujarat and Bihar.
Report also reveals that liquor mafia are active in the two states. Despite prohibition, liquor is available in the both the states, though it is sold on a higher price the report adds.
Demand is getting louder for total prohibition at various level in MP but spokesman of the government and public relation minister Narottam Mishra clarified that there is no plan for total prohibition in the state. Revenue loss seems to be one of reason behind taking decision not to implement total prohibition in MP.