Odisha Governor favours a proposal to make Puri liquor free city

Puri, Sep 12 (UNI) Odisha governor Prof Ganeshi Lal has favoured a proposal to declare Puri, the abode of Lord Jagannath as liquor free city.

The Governor, who received a memorandum from Puri Vikas Parishad President Jagannath Bastia, said he would soon write to the state government to make the pilgrim city liquor free.
The Governor who is on a four day visit to Puri and staying in the Rajbhavan, has been requested to cancel all liquor licenses in Puri.Mr. Bastia has pointed out that Puri is one of the four dhamas (holy places) of Hindu faith of the country and is the spiritual capital of the state.

Every day thousands of pilgrims and tourists are coming to Puri to offer prayers to lord Jagannath and his siblings

The Pilgrims feel discomfort witnessing the sale of non veg food and liquor in this spiritual place. There are over 18 liquor shops in the Puri town located from Athernulla entry point to town and spread over even to Swargadwar area, Mr Bastia stated in his memorandum.

He further said liquor has been banned in Mathura, Vrindaban, Kasi, Amritsar and Thirumalla, the religious and spiritual places of the country.

Since Puri is an important place of pilgrimage liquor shops should be closed,he said and urged the governor to initiate steps to make Puri a liquor freetown to maintain the sanctity and holiness of Srikshetra.