Nagpur: The demands for liquor ban, ongoing in Nagpur for a long time now, has now increased even more. The protest against the operation of liquor shops at the road sides is being augmented by various social sections. As a check measure on these shops, it will now be necessary for the shops to have at least an area of 25 sq meters.

Amidst the demands and protests, State Excise Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has stated that shut down of legal shops in these areas, running with licence, leads to mushrooming up of several illegal shops as the liquor addicts keep on rummaging around for options to satisfy their cravings. The consumption of this illegally manufactured liquor, as stated by Bawankule, proves out to be fatal. As is clear from his statement, the state is not planning to impose a ban on liquor any time soon. The liquor joints which are functional at present will now need to have a minimum area of 25 sq meters to get their licences renewed.

Supporting the newly introduced policy, state excise minister has also said that the miniature nature of licensed shops, leads to its supply in smaller joints which causes problem for other people.

As of now, the state government is also investigating the steps taken in other states to control the issue. Eight states in the country have denotified roads where liquor shops can be run. The ban on sale of liquor within 500 meters of National Highways is also not being taken seriously in the state. It is unclear that how the distance will be measured i.e. what are the ways used for the same.