Maharashtra government declares Chandrapur as dry district

Maharashtra Government has declared mineral rich Chandrapur district (in Vidarbha region) as dry district.
Thus imposing ban on the sale, purchase, production and consumption of liquor in the district.
In this regard, state government has cancelled all alcohol permits in Chandrapur district and henceforth will be shifted to other districts.
Chandrapur district is third district in state to be declared dry district. The demand for banning liquor in Chandrapur was made in late 2010, following which a committee was set up by state government. Thus, this decision was taken that in the interest of health of the people of Chandrapur, liquor consumption must be prohibited.
Earlier, Wardha and Gadchiroli districts from same region were declared dry districts.
Wardha was declared dry district as it is closely linked to Mahatma Gandhi with his ashram situated in Sevagram.
While, in the case of Gadchiroli the decision to declare it as a dry district was taken in 1992 owing to a public outcry to ban alcohol in view of growing Naxal movement.

Month: Current Affairs - January, 2015