As a step towards meeting a key promise made during his padayatra, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jaganmohan Reddy today ordered the closure of all belt shops in the State, by October 1.
Speaking to officials on the second day of the Collectors' Conference on Tuesday, Reddy said that there should be no delay in enforcing good decisions that would benefit the people at large, especially the weaker sections.
"There should be no sale of liquor alongside national highways. Efforts should be made to see that roadside dhabhas do not sell any alcohol, either. Hoardings should also be put up highlighting road safety rules," he also exhorted IPS officers.
He also instructed police officials to make relentless efforts to curb the cultivation of marijuana, particularly in the tribal areas, and suggested that they carry out a special operation in August. To make up for the loss of income from marijuana cultivation, the tribals would be provided with other employment opportunities, he added.
Jagan also told the officers that before imposing penalties and fines, concrete measures should be taken for raising awareness among the people.
He also asked the officials to come up with specific plans to ease the traffic woes in Vijayawada.
filed in:Andhra Pradesh, Alcohol Abuse, Alcohol/Liquor, Belt Shops