Chhattisgarh may go dry soon as the state government is “seriously contemplating” to implement prohibition of liquor in the state.

The state government already constituted three committees—comprising experts, social organisations and MLAs—to give recommendations on the prohibition, forest and environment minister Mohammed Akbar told the assembly in reply to a question raised by BSP member Indu Banjare during the ongoing monsoon session on Monday. The committee consisting of legislators is headed by senior member Satyanarayan Sharma, the minister said.

In the reply, it was stated that around 338 shops selling country-made liquor and 312 dealing in Indian made foreign liquor (IMFL) are operational in the state.

Since January 1, 2018 to May 2019 the state earned a revenue of Rs 6206.5 crore from liquor sales.

Banajre stating that women, who suffer the most due to alcoholism menace, had voted the government to power on the issue of prohibition, sought to know when it would be implemented.

BJP member Ajay Chandrakar said shutting down of a few shops did not mean prohibition.

JCC (J) member Dharamajeet said the Congress won 68 seats in the 2018 assembly elections due to the support of women who were facing the menace. He said in contrast to its version in the public in favour of prohibition, the government was even selling liquor in plastic bottles.

In his response, the minister pointed out that opposition MLAs who are part of the legislators’ committee on prohibition did not give their consent to it.

He further added based on recommendations of the committees, the prohibition would be implemented.