With Bihar announcing it would enforce prohibition on liquor, an MLA of ruling BJP has written to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking ban on liquor in the state.
BJP MLA from Katol, Ashish Deshmukh, in his letter, appealed to the government to declare Maharashtra a ‘dry state’ with a view to bring about a “social revolution”.
Currently, prohibition of liquor is enforced in districts of Wardha, Gadchiroli and Chandrapur in the state. “Gujarat, Nagaland, parts of Manipur, Laskshadweep have enforced prohibition. Bihar will be dry state from April 1 next year, and Kerala also proposes to do so. I appeal that Maharashtra too should be a dry state by banning liquor sale and consumption. This will result in a social revolution,” he said. Apart from the three ‘dry’ districts, demand is being pressed in Buldhana and Yavatmal as well.
A meeting to discuss the issue was also held by minister of state for social justice and excise Dilip Kamble on Friday where he issued strict instructions to officials concerned to check the sale and transport of illicit liquor and take action against those involved.
The minister said there is no proposal under consideration of the government to ban liquor in the entire state. Meanwhile, state revenue minister Eknath Khadse on Friday told reporters in Jalgaon that the state will suffer a revenue loss of Rs 18,000 crore annually if such a ban is enforced.
