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Maharashtra rules out liquor ban

Mumbai - Deshmukh has cited the case of Gujarat, Nagaland, parts of Manipur and Lakshadweep, which have prohibition in force.

There are no plans to impose prohibition on liquor consumption in Maharashtra at present, though the state government will consider demands from women's groups for restrictions on sales in villages.
With Bihar being the latest state to announce prohibition - which is expected to come into force from April 1 - there have been calls for similar curbs on the sale of liquor in Maharashtra.
But Eknath Khadse, Maharashtra's Revenue and Excise Minister, has ruled out any plans to impose prohibition, as the state's finances are in a precarious position and it would not be able to bear the loss of revenues of Rs180 billion, which the sale of liquor fetches by way of taxes.
Some legislators including at least two from the ruling alliance have demanded prohibition in Maharashtra. Ashish Deshmukh, a BJP MLA, has written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, seeking a ban on liquor. Deshmukh wants the state to be declared 'dry' to bring about 'a social revolution'.
Deshmukh has cited the case of Gujarat, Nagaland, parts of Manipur and Lakshadweep, which have prohibition in force. Kerala also plans to gradually introduce prohibition and the Bihar government has also rolled out plans to ban liquor.
Khadse clarified that as long as the state could not find alternative sources of revenue, it would not be possible to introduce prohibition.
Dilip Kamble, a junior minister for social justice and excise, had recently met a delegation of activists from Buldhana district, who are demanding prohibition.
Activists from Yavatmal district are also demanding such a ban in that district.
At present, prohibition is in force in three out of a total of 36 districts. They include Wardha, Gadchiroli and Chandrapur all in Vidarbha region. The ban on liquor sale has been in force in Wardha for decades, as Mahatma Gandhi's Sewagram ashram is located in the district.
The BJP-led government imposed prohibition in Chandrapur earlier this year, following demands from women's groups and activists. In Gadchiroli, a district facing extreme left violence, prohibition has been in force for the past five years.
The state government has a policy wherein the sale of liquor can be prohibited in a given area if a majority of women there demand such curbs.
nithin@khaleejtimes.com

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