The state government on Tuesday termed the demand for total ban on liquor in Maharashtra as “impractical”.
The state government on Tuesday termed the demand for total ban on liquor in Maharashtra as “impractical”. Excise minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said that not only will the state lose out '13,500 crore revenue, but the ban on liquor will also lead to increase in illegal liquor trade. Instead, the minister said, the government will make the laws stricter to curb the illegal trade.
Last week, social activist Anna Hazare had met chief minister Devendra Fadnavis demanding that liquor sale should be banned in the entire state in order to check crime against women in the state. He had argued that liquor was the main reason behind atrocities on women.
Member of Legislative Council Prakash Gajbhiye had raised the issue in the House through calling attention motion. Replying to it, the minister said the state earns Rs 13,500 crore every year through excise duty. The ban will not end the liquor trade, he said.
“If we stop authorised liquor sale, the unauthorised liquor sale will increase. There is also a possibility of increase in the sale of hooch, which can pose danger to lives of people. It will also lead to smuggling of liquor from neighbouring states,” Mr Bawankule said.
Raising the debate on his motion, Mr Gajbhiye wanted the government to announce total prohibition of liquor in the state. He said liquor was damaging the lives of students and women in particular. Responding to the MLC, Mr Bawankule said the Andhra Pradesh government had to withdraw its prohibition within two years. “There has been a 10-fold rise in trade of illegal liquor volume in the state. When the government tries to enforce prohibition in a region it gives rise to illegal trade of liquor,” he said.
The minister said a portion of the revenue generated from sale of liquor shall be used to fund public awareness campaign against harmful effects of liquor consumption. Replying to the query on increasing the number of dry days, he said district collectors have been empowered to decide on declaring dry days depending on the local situation. To another query from Congress MLC Chandrakant Raghuvanshi, Mr Bawankule assured the House that the government would strengthen border check posts along the state borders with Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.
