Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Monday claimed that there are no liquor shops in 90% of villages in the state and the main aim is to bring women security in the state by supporting anti-liquor campaign.
“There are no liquor shops in 90% of villages in Chhattisgarh. The main aim of our government is to provide complete security to women in the state,” said Singh.
Recently, Chhattisgarh assembly passed a bill that empowers the state to create a corporation to facilitate sale of both foreign and Indian liquor through government outlets.
“The state will become kochiye (middlemen) and problems free. It will also curb the illegal sale of liquor in the state,” he further added.
He also assured that the government is supporting the anti-liquor campaign run by women groups for the betterment of society.
The Uttarakhand government earlier on Friday imposed a ban on sale of liquor in Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts from April 1 in the wake of Chardham Yatra.
The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its order on banning off liquor vends on state and national highways.
Hearing a batch of petitions seeking modification of its December 2016 order banning liquor outlets within 500 metres of state and national highways across the country, the apex court bench, headed by, Chief Justice Khehar reserved the order.
Several states, including Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Punjab, Telangana and Haryana and various others had told the apex court that 500-metre distance is much higher and should be reduced.
Attorney General (AG) Mukul Rohatgi, also agreed with the associations and said that the 500-metre distance should be reduced. The apex court, however, observed that life is more important than liquor.
The top court in its December 15, 2016 order had ruled that licenses of existing shops along national and state highways will not be renewed after March 31.
This was challenged through petitions by several associations across states.
On 23 March, the Tamil Nadu government had also moved the top court to extend the time for relocation of retail liquor shops along the highways till the expiry of their license period up to 28 November, 2017.
