Former Chief Minister Uma Bharti has again increased the tension of the government regarding the prohibition of liquor in Madhya Pradesh. In a series of tweets on Friday, Uma Bharti said that the government has approved the Ahatas (place to sit and drink for the customers, who buy liquor from the shop). In such a situation, her attempt to shut them down is meaningless, unless the government changes the policy.
Former Chief Minister Uma Bharti said that the strict action taken by the government to close the hookah bar lounge after the October 2 programme is a commendable initiative, but it was informed by government sources that the premises (Ahatas) are illegal, it is not part of the current liquor policy, it may not be because driving under the influence of alcohol is a legal offense.
Bharti said that when the government gave a notice to close the liquor shop and the compound, less than 100 meters away from the ancient Maa Durga temple of Ayodhya bypass of Raisen Road, the operator brought a stay from the court. She said that she was surprised to see the permission papers by the district administration and the government, hence it was natural that they got the stay.
Bharti said that after she came to know about the permission, she felt that her agitation is meaningless unless the government changes the policy of allowing opening consumption of liquor in Ahatas. She said that she is waiting for the day when Government cancels the provisions under the Excise Act 1915, point number-8 of the Excise Rules 1996 and point no.-3 (shop bar) of the Excise Policy year 2022-23.
The former CM said that recently, Madhya Pradesh became a model state for medical education in Hindi and recently in UP has also announced to do medical education through Hindi medium on the same lines. Madhya Pradesh will become a model state in this case with just a slight amendment in the policy to close the Ahatas immediately.