INDORE: Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shviraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday said the state government will not allow liquor shops to operate in residential areas from next financial year.Chouhan made this announcement on the conclusion of the two-day BJP state executive committee meeting at Mohankheda in neighbouring Dhar district."Not a single liquor shop will be allowed to open in Madhya Pradesh. No shop will be allowed to operate in residential areas from next year. Shops will not be there near schools and colleges," the chief minister said.He said state government does not intend to impose liquor ban by force, but bring forth the prohibition by creating awareness among the masses. "If we use force, the society tries to find other (illegal) ways," he said.The chief minister's statements came in the backdrop of a political resolution adopted by the party's executive body to make Madhya Pradesh addiction and liquor free."Madhya Pradesh government is constantly making efforts in this direction. This is only possible with the support of all sections of the society," he said.The government has decided to start a massive public awareness drive and at the same time take steps to cut down the number of existing liquor shops, he said pointing at the move to ban liquor shops five kilometers from the banks of Narmada river.Earlier on Friday, BJP's executive committee has adopted a political resolution reiterated the pledge to do away with liquor shops in the state in a phased manner.It said that BJP government is committed to enforce liquor ban in the state and is moving towards the goal. No new liquor shop is being allowed to be started in the state. Liquor shops are moved 500 metres away from highways.Efforts have been made in including information about harmful effects of liquor and narcotics in school and college textbooks, the resolution said.

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