Agra: Prohibition of liquor and meat in the Mathura district only applies to their sales and not their consumption.
And instead of a complete shutdown, a surge in liquor and meat outlets will be moved outside 22 Corporate Ward Municipal Mathura-Vrindavan where the prohibition was notified.
“Only sales are prohibited.
There is no prohibition on consumption.
Clearly licensed and the meat shop will be moved,” said a district official with anonymity requirements.
Mohammad Riazuddin Raju, a Social Worker and President of Sankalp Society Welfare, a NGO, said, “Muslim meat sellers have decided to approach the High Court to prohibitions.
They will ask permission to run their business on the streets of Muslim majority.
More than 1 Lakh Muslims live at 22 wards where the prohibition has been announced.
They cannot change their food habits.
We are afraid if the meat is done even for personal consumption, there may be an attack.
“The area where the ban began to apply on Friday night, a 10-kil square area From Krishna Janmasthan’s temple complex, having around 45 liquor stores and 18 meat outlets, including restaurants where non-vegetarian food is served, the district authorities said.
“Implementation of prohibitions will be ensured strictly by the police in a limited area,” said Municipal corporation commissioner Mathura-Vrindavan Anunay Jha.
Notification for the prohibition of meat immediately shared with outlets.
All 18 are closed on Saturday.
“Meat sellers have two options – move or start other businesses,” said Dr.
Gauri Shankar, the designated food and drug officers said, said.
The ban on liquor has not been enforced.
Prabhat District Excise Officer Chandra said data about vends liquor was being collected and their relocation would be planned soon.
Mathura DM Navneet Singh Chahal said the government would help and train those who were willing to change their business lines.
“There are many government schemes with which they can be accommodated and help start a new business,” he added.
Those who are in trade, however, say it seems unlike practical choices.
“I have already paid this fiscal license fee.
The government should have implemented this from the next financial year, if necessary.
Also, I have run my shop for three years, with sales of almost Rs 1 lakh a day.
Will I get the same relocation after relocation ? “said Sunil Kumar, who runs a wine shop at Mathura.
Mohammad Shahid, who manages a chicken shop in Jaisinghpura, so, the word relocation will be a problem.
“Customers will not go back and forth to the Frenoff places to buy meat.
This means losses.
My shop, where I will make Rs 700 a day, it has been closed.
Some US local dealers plan to take this to the High Court.”