Yogi bans liquor shops at places of religious importance

LUCKNOW: CM Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday directed the excise department to ban liquor shops at places of religious importance such as Vrindavan, Ayodhya, Chitrakoot, Deoband, Dewa Sharif, Misrikh-Naimisharanya and Piran Kaliyar Sharif.

The CM also directed the officers to prohibit the sale of liquor in one kilometre area around Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Krishna Janmbhoomi in Mathura and Sangam area in Allahabad.

Addressing the officials during a presentation made by the excise department, Adityanath said the 8,544 liquor outlets that were operating in residential areas, religious spots or near educational institutions should be removed in compliance of the Supreme Court order. He asked the officials to study the excise policy of other states before drafting new work plan and liquor licence policy. Talking to HT, an excise department officer said the chief minister had ordered ban on the sale of liquor at religious spots that are visited by pilgrims throughout the year. These places include Vrindavan, Ayodhya, Chitrakoot and Misrikh Naimisharanya. While Ayodhya and Chitrakoot are associated with Lord Rama, Vrindavan is revered by the devotees of Krishna. Misrikh-Naimisharanya in Sitapur district is also an important place for the Hindus.

Ban on liquor shops has been imposed in Deoband where leading Islamic seminary DarulUloom is located. Dewa Sharif has the mausoleum of Sufi saint Waris Ali Shah while Piran Kaliyar Sharif on UP-Uttarakhand border has the dargah of Sufi saint Alauddin Ali Ahmed Sabir Kaliyar. The CM said honest officers would be posted at sensitive positions in the excise department and asked the authorities to prepare a list of such officers.

Adityanath also ordered a crack down on illegal liquor and gangs involved in its smuggling.