Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh cabinet has determined to shut all the bars operating in the state, with the liquor shops only being allowed to sell liquor to customers. With this, the state is making move in an effort to discourage alcohol usage.

Narottam Mishra, state government spokesperson, said, "Since 2010, the state has not lost a single new spirits business. Several stores were closed even during the Narmada Seva Yatra. The alcohol policy was implemented this year in an effort to reduce alcohol consumption."

According to the new excise regulation that Shivraj Singh Chouhan's administration authorised, "Ahatas," a space next to a spirits shop where customers may drink and browse bars, has been shut down.

"The proposal to close every bar in the state has now been approved by the cabinet. The ability to drink at shop bars is now being phased out, and only alcohol will be offered at liquor stores "he said.

He said, as per the policy the distance of liquor shops from educational and religious institutions has also been increased from 50 to 100 meters.  Also, the penalties for people who drive after drinking alcohol will be tougher.
He said that the cabinet meeting had also voted to strengthen the rules governing the suspension of a driver's licence for intoxicated drivers.

The announcement also comes in the midst of MP's "restricted liquor policy" demand from senior BJP leader Uma Bharti. Bharti was running an anti-alcohol campaign and urged the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP administration not to take advantage of people's drinking habits by enacting a lax excise policy.

In Orchha, a town in the Niwari area known for its temples and palaces, she chained two cows in front of a liquor store and encouraged people to drink milk instead of alcohol as part of her "madhushala mein gaushala" (cowshed in liquor vend) promotion. In a previous act of protest against the sale of alcohol, she had also thrown manure at a store.
Bharti, who began her campaign by calling for complete prohibition, is now asking for the legalisation of sales in the state, where Assembly elections are scheduled to take place at the end of the year.

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