NEW DELHI: It will be a dry day on January 22, the day of consecration of Sri Ram Temple in Ayodhya, in three states, including Uttar Pradesh, which is ruled by the BJP.

Last week, Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai had announced that the sale of liquor will be completely banned in Chhattisgarh on January 22. Liquor has been completely banned on that day in places like liquor outlets, pubs, bars and hotels in the state. The Chief Minister told the media that 300 metric tons of rice and vegetables have been sent from Chhattisgarh to Uttar Pradesh.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced that he has ordered the implementation of complete liquor ban in Uttar Pradesh on that day as well.

In a press conference held yesterday, the Chief Minister said that the consecration ceremony of Sri Ram Temple should be celebrated like a national festival and that day would be a public holiday for all educational institutions. Yogi Adityanath also said that cities like Dharma Path, Janmabhoomi Path, Bhakti Path and Ram Path in the state should be completely cleaned. At present, more than 3800 workers have been appointed for cleaning in the state and 1500 more will be appointed, he said.

Minister of Tourism Jayant Malla Baruah announced that the sale of alcohol will be completely banned in Assam on January 22. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has announced that the sale of liquor has been completely banned in the heritage areas of Jaipur Municipality. Meanwhile, in BJP-ruled Maharashtra, the complete ban on alcohol has not been implemented on January 22.

Elaborate arrangements have been made across the country for the consecration ceremony of the Sri Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The Centre has also issued an order to conduct special pooja on that day in various temples and urged people to light lamps in their homes during the consecration ceremony.