Bhopal, April 1 -- A ban on the sale of alcohol will take effect in 19 religious places in Madhya Pradesh from Tuesday as part of the state government's new liquor policy, an excise department official said on Monday.

State finance and excise minister Jagdish Deoda said, "The new excise policy will come into effect from Tuesday. Steps have been taken for social change, including discouraging consumption of high intensity liquor and introducing new category of countrymade liquor."

The Madhya Pradesh government, on January 25, had announced the new excise policy, which includes the imposition of a complete ban on the sale and purchase of liquor in 19 religious places across the state.

Around 47 liquor shops will be shut when the excise p...