'Sale of Non-Veg. Food To Be Banned in Maheshwar'
Times of India, Bombay. 30th January 2004.
Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh: In a major decision aimed at enhancing its Hindutva image, the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh has decided to declare Maheshwar, Amarkantak and notified areas of Ujjain as 'holy cities' where the sale of liquor and non-vegetarian food, including eggs, will be banned.
Talking to reporters after chairing the cabinet meeting here on Wednesday, chief minister Uma Bharti said the cabinet had decided to declare Maheshwar, Amarkantak and notified areas of Ujjain as 'pavitra nagar'.
"After the gazette notification of the decision, there will be a total ban on the sale of liquor, non-vegetarian food and egg in these towns," Ms. Bharti said.
The cabinet has also decided to develop these places to promote pilgrim tourism in the state for which elaborate arrangement would be made, she said. The government has already decided to impose a ban on the sale of liquor, meat, fish and other non-vegetarian food during the Ujjain Simhast mela, PWD minister Kailash Vijaywargiya said on the occasion.