By Admin 
The Punjab government has taken a big decision regarding three major religious cities of the state. By issuing an official notification, the Walled City of Amritsar, Sri Anandpur Sahib Nagar and Talwandi Sabo Nagar have been declared as holy cities of the state. After this decision, steps are being taken towards imposing strict restrictions on the sale and use of products like alcohol, tobacco and meat in these areas.
Notification issued with the approval of the Governor
Alok Shekhar, Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Government of Punjab, said in the notification that the Governor of Punjab is pleased to announce that the Walled Area of District Amritsar, Sri Anandpur Sahib Nagar of District Rupnagar and Talwandi Sabo (Sri Damdama Sahib) of District Bathinda will now be the holy cities of the State of Punjab.
There will be a ban on the sale and use of alcohol
After this decision, the government has given clear instructions to the Excise Department. The Administrative Secretary of the Excise Department has been asked to issue orders banning the sale and use of liquor and all its related products within the municipal limits of these three cities. It is believed that soon a notification may be issued regarding closure of liquor vends or shifting them to another place.
Ban on cigarettes, tobacco and intoxicants also
Health and Family Welfare Department has also been given important responsibility in this decision. The department has been requested to issue restrictive orders on the sale and use of cigarettes, tobacco and other intoxicants in these declared holy cities. The government believes that this will help in keeping the religious environment more sacred.
The Animal Husbandry Department has also been directed to issue orders to ban the sale and use of meat and related products in the walled area of Amritsar, municipal limits of Sri Anandpur Sahib and Talwandi Sabo. This step is being seen as a matter of respect for religious sentiments.
Instructions for action to local administration
Notification has been sent to the local government department for information and necessary action. Apart from this, Deputy Commissioners of Amritsar, Rupnagar and Bathinda have also been informed about this decision and instructions have been given to take necessary steps. It is believed that in the coming days, the local administration will issue guidelines to implement this decision on the ground.
This decision of the government is being linked to the religious importance of the three cities. Amritsar is the largest religious center of Sikhism, while Sri Anandpur Sahib and Talwandi Sabo (Sri Damdama Sahib) are also deeply connected to Sikh history and faith. The government says that this decision was necessary to maintain the sanctity and religious dignity of these cities.